Chicago Stars FC Forward Micayla Johnson Called Up to Represent USA at FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
August 19, 2026
Chicago Stars FC forward Micayla Johnson has been called up to represent the United States at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The tournament will be hosted in Poland from September 5-27, 2026.
Led by head coach Vicky Jepson, the U-20 USWNT will open the tournament against Italy on September 6. The USA will then take on Japan on September 9 before closing out the group stage against New Zealand on September 12.
| Date | Match | Kickoff (ET) | Venue; City | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 6 | USA vs. Italy | Noon | Stadion Miejski LKS; Lodz, Poland | FSP |
| Sept. 9 | USA vs. Japan | Noon | Stadion Miejski LKS; Lodz, Poland | FS2 |
| Sept. 12 | USA vs. New Zealand | 9 a.m. | Arena Sosnowiec; Sosnowiec, Poland | FS1 |
Johnson earned her first call-up to the U-20 USWNT during the June international window. In her time on the U-19 Women’s National Team, she made her mark during the April international window, subbing into the United States’ first match against Argentina on April 14 and tallying an assist before starting and scoring two goals against the Argentinians in their second matchup on April 17.
A native of Troy, Michigan, Johnson was a U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year finalist in 2025 after appearing in 10 matches for the U.S. U-17 WNT, during which she had as many scoring contributions as games played (seven goals and three assists). She scored in all three Concacaf qualifiers and had the lone U.S. goal in the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinals vs. Netherlands on a world class strike before the USA fell in penalty kicks.
Johnson made her professional debut for the Chicago Stars at just 17 years old on March 14, 2025, and scored her first professional goal on Oct. 5 against Utah Royals, just days before the start of the 2025 U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Johnson, who also scored in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, became the first U.S. player to score in two FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup tournaments and will be looking to tally in her third consecutive FIFA event. Johnson finished her U-17 career with nine goals in 18 caps.
Goalkeepers (3): Caroline Birkel (Stanford; St. Louis, Mo.; 6), Evan O'Steen (Seattle Reign FC; Grapevine, Texas; 2), Kealey Titmuss (Penn State; Grand Blanc, Mich.; 5)
Defenders (7): Aven Alvarez (UNC; New Hill, N.C.; 12/0), Ella Bard (Louisville; Wadsworth, Ohio; 6/0), Lizzie Boamah (Stanford; San Diego, Calif.; 6/0), Pearl Cecil (Virginia; Encinitas, Calif.; 2/0), Emma Johnson (Penn State; Greenfield, Ind.; 9/1), Hope Munson (UNC; Holladay, Utah; 6/0), Katie Scott (Kansas City Current; Fairview, Pa.; 11/1)
Midfielders (6): Kennedy Fuller (Bay FC; Southlake, Texas; 8/2), Lily Joseph (Notre Dame; Hamden, Conn; 2/0), Ainsley McCammon (Seattle Reign FC; Bedford, Texas; 6/0), Y-Lan Nguyen (Stanford; Fairfax, Va.; 5/0), Nyanya Touray (Florida State; Silver Spring, Md.; 4/0), Linda Ullmark (Houston Dash; Buffalo, N.Y.; 7/6)
Forwards (5): Emeri Adames (Seattle Reign FC; Red Oak, Texas; 4/1), Alex Buck (Washington; Medina, Wash.; 6/1), Micayla Johnson (Chicago Stars FC; Troy, Mich; 4/2), Audrey McKeen (Racing Louisville FC; Vienna, Va.; 2/0), Sealey Strawn (UNC; Prosper, Texas; 2/0)
