An international search is underway in Sweden after an entire youth football contingent from Ethiopia vanished shortly after completing their participation in the annual Gothia Cup tournament in Gothenburg.
According to Swedish authorities, around 20 individuals comprising players aged between 14 and 17 alongside adult team supervisors departed from their designated accommodation without checking out or informing tournament organizers.
The group was discovered missing by a school administrator on the final day of the tournament. Swedish police have since confirmed that the group remains unaccounted for and has not returned to Ethiopia.
Voluntary Disappearance Suspected
Law enforcement officials believe the disappearance was planned and voluntary, noting there are currently no indications of foul play or human trafficking.
"There are no indications that there is anything illegal behind it, such as human trafficking or similar," said Ellinor Halldin of the police Missing Persons Unit in Region West. "We have no idea if they are trying to stay in Sweden. That would just be speculation."
Organizers of the Gothia Cup, widely recognized as one of the world's largest youth football tournaments, expressed surprise given their strong administrative relationship with the delegation.
Swedish police are collaborating with the Swedish Migration Agency, border authorities, and international law enforcement agencies to trace the location of the missing players and team officials.
