Aston Villa teenage midfielder Jessica Choolwe Johnson has been recalled to the Zambia U-17 national team for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after previously being excused to focus on her school examinations in England.

In April, Johnson missed Zambia’s trip to Rwanda for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Head coach Carol Kanyemba said Johnson’s club, Aston Villa, had confirmed that she was unavailable due to upcoming school examinations in England.

“We have been informed by Aston Villa that Jessica will not be able to join the team in time for the first leg in Kigali,” Kanyemba told FAZ Media after fans questioned why Johnson was not called.

On Friday, Johnson scored her third goal of the season for Aston Villa U21s in a 3-1 win over Sheffield United U21 in the U21 PGA League.

The 17-year-old has already featured on the senior team’s bench on multiple occasions and will look to impress as she eyes becoming the first Zambian to play in the English women’s top flight.

Meanwhile, the Copper Princesses left the country over the weekend for a pre-World Cup training camp in Morocco, where the tournament will be held.

FAZ announced that the Copper Princesses will face China in an international friendly on October 9 before beginning their World Cup campaign in Group D, where they have been drawn alongside Japan, France and Venezuela.