Manaka Matsukubo

Mynavi Sendai

Manaka made her professional debut for Mynavi Sendai of the WE League on 5 March 2023 and played 1,075 minutes across the season. She helped the team to a fourth-place finish in her first year as a professional, scoring four goals and adding one assist.

North Carolina Courage

On 27 July 2023, the North Carolina Courage acquired Manaka on a year-long loan from Mynavi Sendai. She made her NWSL debut on 27 August 2023, starting in a 1–1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars. On 6 September, she started in the NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal against the Kansas City Current, becoming the youngest starter in the competition at 19 years old. Three days later, she started in the final against Racing Louisville and scored the second goal of the 2–0 victory. She was the youngest player to score in the competition and was named MVP of the title game. Following the game, Courage head coach Sean Nahas called her a "star in the making". The following week, Manaka scored her first NWSL regular-season goal in a 2–1 loss to the Orlando Pride. On 15 October, she assisted Tyler Lussi's 1–0 winner against the Washington Spirit, clinching a playoff berth on the final day of the season. In the playoff quarterfinals, having lost NWSL MVP Kerolin to injury, the Courage fell 2–0 to the eventual champions Gotham FC. On 27 June 2024, the Courage signed Manaka permanently on a year-and-a-half contract through 2025. On 7 July, she scored her first goal of the season when she…

Youth

Manaka played for Japan's under-20 side during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2022, scoring one goal as Japan made it to the final. She was called up to play at the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup, scoring 3 goals, but she left early to return to her club. She was selected for her second FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2024. In the semifinals, she scored both goals in a 2–0 victory over the Netherlands. She scored three goals in all at the tournament and received the Silver Ball as its second-best player.

Senior

Manaka received her first senior call-up to Japan in October 2024. She made her senior international debut on 20 February 2025, coming on as a substitute for Maika Hamano during a 4–0 win against Australia at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. She scored her first international goal for the senior team on March 14, 2026 against the Philippines in the AFC Women's Asian Cup hosted by Australia.

Club

As of match played 3 November 2025

International

As of match played 11 April 2026

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Matsukubo goal.

JFA Academy Fukushima

Nadeshiko Challenge League: 2020 Nadeshiko League 2: 2021 North Carolina Courage

NWSL Challenge Cup: 2023 Japan

AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2026 SheBelieves Cup: 2025 Individual

NWSL Midfielder of the Year: 2025 NWSL Best XI First Team: 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup final MVP: 2023 WE League Outstanding Player Award: 2022–23