Oching, Tarasco, Larouche Selected to Canada’s U-20 World Cup Squad

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Three University of Iowa women’s soccer student-athletes - third years Iba Oching and Léa Larouche and second year Liana Tarasco - have been named to the Canadian Women’s National Team for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

The selection marks the second international tournament the trio has participated in together. They previously represented Canada at the 2025 CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship, helping the team capture the tournament title.

For Oching, the selection marks her second FIFA Women’s World Cup, having previously represented Canada at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India. This season, Oching has started in three games for the Hawkeyes, logging 182 minutes on the pitch. A mainstay in Iowa’s midfield and backline, Oching helped the Hawkeyes secure two shutout victories to open the season.

Tarasco has also started all three games she has appeared in for Iowa, recording 169 minutes of play. The Montreal native earned her first point of the season with an assist in Iowa’s season-opening win over Milwaukee and added her first goal of the year, a game-winner, in Iowa's 5-0 victory over Loyola-Chicago.

Larouche has appeared in three games for 74 minutes to kick off the 2026 season. She has recorded three shots with two on target for a .667 shot on goal percentage.

The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is set to kick off in Poland on Sept. 5. Canada will compete in Group B against Brazil, Tanzania, and England. The team opens tournament play against England on Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. CT at Bielsko-Biala Stadium. The championship match will take place on Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. CT at Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź. Live coverage of the tournament will be available on FIFA+.