Natasha Thomas called up for Jamaica amid Khadija Shaw's passport issues

In Jamaica, Natasha Thomas has been selected for the national women's football team, marking a significant achievement as she is the first woman from Ipswich Town to earn a senior international call-up. This decision came after Khadija Shaw, Jamaica's all-time top scorer, was left out of the squad due to complications with her passport. Shaw, who plays for Manchester City, faced travel restrictions that prevented her from joining the team for their friendly match against France. Her situation is compounded by the Jamaican federation's inability to resolve the passport issue in time, which has seen Shaw absent from international matches for over a year. The call-up for Thomas comes at a crucial time in her career; she recently became Ipswich Town’s record appearance maker and scorer, showcasing her impressive skills on the pitch. With Shaw's passport problems unresolved, Thomas has stepped into the limelight, offering the team depth and experience ahead of upcoming international fixtures. Despite the challenges faced by Shaw, Thomas expressed her excitement and nervousness about representing her country, highlighting the opportunity as a pivotal moment in her career. Thomas is balancing her football aspirations with her job as a personal trainer, demonstrating her dedication to both sports and community. As Jamaica prepares for future matches, including encounters against South Africa later this year, the federation hopes to resolve Shaw's travel issues to reintegrate her into the squad, as her pace and talent are essential for the team’s success.