International Break Recap: 8 URFC Players Represented Respective Nations During Busy October FIFA International Window

Photo Credit: U.S. Women's National Team / U.S. Soccer

During the recent international break, eight Utah Royals FC players proudly represented their countries on the global stage, showcasing the club’s growing impact across international football. Spanning five different nations, these players competed in high-level matches, contributing key performances and gaining valuable experience. 

From international call-up debuts to goal contributions and playing important minutes, URFC talent was on full display across the international stage throughout the October window, demonstrating both individual excellence and the strength embedded within the Royals’ roster. 

URFC Iron Woman Kate Del Fava was selected to be a part of the United States Women’s National Team roster for the first time in her career during the October window. USWNT Head Coach Emma Hayes gave the defender the nod after Utah’s 1-1 draw in Louisville on October 3rd as the squad was in need of a defender following an injury to standout defender Naomi Girma. The 28-year-old has continuously proven herself as one of the NWSL’s toughest defenders, playing each and every minute of Utah’s matches since the Return to Royalty in 2024. As Utah’s constant in the backfield Del Fava has continued to make key tackles and thwart opponents offensive attacks time and again which ultimately led to her first call up and an earned spot on the bench during the United States 2-0 loss to Spain on October 10th. 

In the USWNT’s second match on Thursday, October 13th Del Fava fulfilled a childhood dream earning her first ever senior cap as a second-half substitute in the 80th minute. The backbone of URFC’s defense immediately made an impact, stepping onto the pitch as if she’d been there plenty of times before stepping into tackles with confidence against the world’s first ranked Spanish side. In the 86th minute it was none other than Del Fava who’s beautiful boot up the pitch set off a chain reaction, ultimately leading to the game tying goal by Mallory Swanson. Although her time on the pitch was short, what Del Fava was able to showcase during her opportunity further cemented her into the conversation for a roster spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

For the first time since the trio of Japanese players became teammates in Utah, all three earned a spot on Japan’s roster for the October FIFA Window. 29-year-old midfielder Narumi earned her first call-up to represent the Japanese Women’s National Team since January 2025,  undoubtedly due to the high quality of play she has showcased with the Royals throughout 2026. The midfielder entered Japan’s first match on October 9th against Haiti in the 63rd minute, bringing precision passing and high-level soccer IQ onto the pitch, ultimately helping to lift her country's squad to a dominant 5-1 victory.  In Japan’s second match of the window against Germany, the midfielder did not appear although she was available off the bench in the 2-1 loss. 

Star midfielder Mina Tanaka who has been one of the heartbeats of the URFC squad throughout 2026 season thus far, was unable to play for her country and returned home early. Tanaka’s defensive counterpart Miyabi was available for the international squad, earning a coveted spot on the bench on October 9th before also returning to Utah.

Recently acquired forward Jameese Joseph was among a group of high-quality American players selected to represent the United States at the youth level with the U-23 squad. In the teams first match against the Dominican Republic on Friday, October 9th the dynamic forward came in as a substitute in the 72nd minute to immediately change the game. Joseph beautifully assisted fellow teammate Karlie Lema for the youth side's fifth goal, making an impact just eleven minutes into her appearance, helping to bring the USYNT to a dominant 5-0 victory. While the U-23 squad had a second match during the window, Joseph did not feature in the match. 

Along with the list of Royals players representing their respective countries this international window was Mexican-American forward Kiana Palacios who earned a start for the Mexican Women’s National Team in its first match against current URFC teammate Kameron Simmonds and Jamaica on October 9th. Before being taken out of the match in the 68th minute, Palacios showcased her speed and high-level pressing abilities making life difficult for the backline and goalkeeper on the Jamaican side. In Mexico’s second match against Jamaica Palacios entered the match as a substitute in the 58th minute, her creativity in the offensive third and speed helped to lift the squad to a 3-2 victory.

Playing against her URFC teammate for a pair of matches against Mexico was young defensive talent Kameron Simmonds who earned yet another call up to the Jamaican Women’s National Team, affectionately known as the “Reggae Girlz”. Although Simmonds did not enter the first match of the window from the bench, her consistent inclusion on the international stage speaks to the young defender's mentality and strong abilities both on and off the ball. On Tuesday, October 13th, Simmonds saw the pitch for the first time during the international window, subbing in at halftime and sharing the pitch with her URFC teammate once she entered the match just 13 minutes later. In Jamaica’s 3-2 loss to Mexico, the young defender put in an impressive defensive shift and even took a shot from distance in the 74th minute that went just high of the crossbar.

Rounding out the Royals called-up for international duty was URFC forward Cloé Lacasse who unsurprisingly earned herself a spot with the Canadian Women’s National Team for the October FIFA International Window. With 18 goal contributions this season (8 goals, 10 assists) the forward has been an integral piece of the Royals attack and strong run of form. As Canada faced a pair of matches against Denmark during the window, Lacasse was a part of the squad's starting lineup, earning a shot on goal in the 42nd minute from the center of the box that ultimately led to a corner kick and another opportunity for the Canadian side. 

While she was subbed out at halftime, Lacasse earned another shift on the pitch in the squad's second match on Monday, October 12th. Coming off the bench in the 65th minute, the 33-year-old immediately made an impact to bring the ball up the pitch and assist in offensive chances. In the 79th minute, Lacasse earned another scoring opportunity, a header in the box that narrowly missed, going just over the goal. While the Canadian side ultimately lost its second and final match 4-3 to Denmark, Lacasse showcased her speed and creativity on the international level further proving herself as a dynamic and important roster piece for both club and country. 

Utah Royals FC return from the international break to play at home this Saturday, October 17 welcoming the Kansas City Current to America First Field for the club’s Breast Cancer Awareness match. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. MT and tickets are available for purchase here.