Hirao's International Football Career and Achievements
From her early emergence as a teenage talent to her role in the senior national squad, Hirao has established herself as a consistent presence in Japanese international football. Specializing as a goalkeeper, her journey through the various age brackets of the national team system showcases a steady progression toward the highest levels of global competition.
Early International Development
Hirao's international journey began at a young age. In September 2012, at just 15 years old, she was selected for the Japan U-17 national team to compete in the 2012 U-17 Women's World Cup. During this tournament, she served as the regular goalkeeper, appearing in three matches.
Her growth continued into the U-20 level. In November 2016, she was selected for the Japan U-20 national team for the 2016 U-20 Women's World Cup. Hirao played five matches during the competition, contributing to Japan's successful campaign which resulted in a 3rd place finish.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Rise to the Senior National Team
The transition to the senior squad occurred in April 2018, when Hirao was selected for the 2018 Women's Asian Cup. While she did not see playing time during the tournament, she was part of the squad that secured the championship for the second consecutive tournament. She officially made her senior debut on August 2, 2018, in a match against Australia.
Major Tournament Selections
Following her debut, Hirao became a recurring selection for Japan's most prestigious international assignments. She was included in the 23-player squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup on May 10, 2019.
Her involvement extended to the Olympic stage, where she was named to the Japan squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics on June 18, 2021. She continued her streak of high-level selections by joining the 23-player squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 on June 13, 2023, and again for the 2024 Summer Olympics on June 14, 2024.
Recent Successes
Most recently, Hirao's contributions to the national team were highlighted by her participation in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, a prestigious invitational tournament, where the Japan squad emerged as winners.
Key Facts
- Debut Age: Selected for the U-17 World Cup at age 15.
- U-20 Success: Helped Japan secure 3rd place in the 2016 U-20 Women's World Cup.
- Senior Debut: Played her first senior match against Australia on August 2, 2018.
- World Cup Experience: Member of the 23-player squads for both the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women's World Cups.
- Olympic Participation: Selected for both the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics.
- Recent Title: Part of the winning squad for the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.
| Year | Competition/Event | Role/Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | U-17 Women's World Cup | Regular Goalkeeper (3 matches) |
| 2016 | U-20 Women's World Cup | 3rd Place (5 matches) |
| 2018 | Women's Asian Cup | Champion |
| 2019 | FIFA Women's World Cup | Squad Member |
| 2020 | Summer Olympics | Squad Member |
| 2023 | FIFA Women's World Cup | Squad Member |
| 2024 | Summer Olympics | Squad Member |
| 2025 | SheBelieves Cup | Champion |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Hirao first play for a Japan national team?
Hirao was first selected for the Japan U-17 national team in September 2012 for the U-17 Women's World Cup.
Which major tournament did Hirao win with the senior team early in her career?
She was part of the squad that won the 2018 Women's Asian Cup, marking Japan's second consecutive championship.
How many FIFA Women's World Cups has Hirao been a part of?
Hirao was included in the 23-player squads for two FIFA Women's World Cups: 2019 and 2023.
In which match did Hirao make her senior international debut?
Hirao made her senior debut on August 2, 2018, in a match against Australia.
Has Hirao participated in the Olympics?
Yes, she was included in the Japan squads for both the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics.