20 Ethiopian youth footballers abscond after tournament in Sweden

At least 20 Ethiopian youth footballers and officials have been declared missing after participating in the 2026 Gothia Cup in Sweden. 

According to Göteborgs-Posten, a Swedish newspaper, organisers of the youth tournament reported the missing persons case to the police.

The report added that the Ethiopian team, which comprises male footballers aged 14 to 17, was camped at the school for the Gothia Cup and their disappearance was noticed on the competition’s final day when an administrator realised they had left without reporting their movements.

The Swedish police said that the individuals have not returned to Ethiopia and that it appears to be a voluntary disappearance.

“There are no indications that there is anything illegal behind it, such as human trafficking or similar,” Ellinor Halldin at the police unit for missing persons in Region West said. 

Three Ethiopian clubs participated in the just-concluded 2026 Gothia Cup. The clubs are Dan Abisynnia FA, Double Pass Football Project, and EDY Sports Development Centre, which had its under-14 and under-17 boys’ teams at the tournament.

The Swedish authorities, however, did not reveal which team had gone missing.

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) said the teams went to the Swedish competition of their own accord and not to represent the country.

Nigeria also had three teams at the 2026 Gothia Cup, with Beyond Limit FA winning their second consecutive under-17 title. (TheCable)