Jahziah Johnson, a student at the University of Gloucestershire pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Sciences, has earned a further international call-up to represent the Cayman Islands in the upcoming 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League. This selection follows his previous appearances for the national team in the qualifying matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he competed against teams such as Bermuda and Cuba, balancing his football commitments alongside his academic studies.
The Cayman Islands will commence their Nations League campaign with a match against Dominica on Friday, 25 September, followed by a fixture against Guyana on Sunday, 27 September. Additional group stage games are scheduled for October and November, with the group winners advancing to the new League B Championship. This progression may open the door to promotion to League A as well as qualification opportunities for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Reflecting on his selection, Johnson said, “It’s always a huge honour to be selected to represent the Cayman Islands and I’m really excited to join up with the squad again. Playing international football alongside my degree can be demanding, but the support I receive from the University really helps me to balance the two. I’m looking forward to the games and hopefully playing my part in a successful campaign.”
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Johnson is studying at the University of Gloucestershire through its partnership with University Degrees Abroad (UDA), a programme designed to help international students develop their football careers while completing academic degrees. This integrated approach combines academy training with academic study, supporting both sporting excellence and educational achievement.
Daniel Cowen, Academic Course Leader for Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Gloucestershire, expressed his pride in Johnson’s accomplishments. “We’re incredibly proud to see Jahziah selected to represent the Cayman Islands once again. Competing at international level while successfully continuing his studies requires a huge amount of commitment and dedication. It is fantastic to see Jahziah continuing to develop as both a student and an athlete, and everyone at the University wishes him and his team-mates every success in the Nations League,” he said.