7 Commonwealth Games Athletes Missing After Glasgow 2026 As Police Launch Investigation

Police Scotland has launched an investigation after confirming that seven athletes are unaccounted for following the conclusion of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The missing athletes include four members of Uganda’s boxing team, Pakistan boxer Qudratullah and two others whose identities have not been disclosed.

According to reports, the Ugandan boxers—Nuhu Batte, Angel Katushabe, Ibrahim Kemis and Emily Nakalema—failed to report for their scheduled flight home after the Games ended on Sunday.

Local outlet NBS Sport reported that one of the missing Ugandan athletes said the group intended to seek asylum in Scotland, citing better training facilities and greater career opportunities than those available in Uganda. The boxer also appealed to fellow Ugandans not to criticise their decision.

Pakistan’s Today newspaper reported that Qudratullah was missing from his accommodation when officials arrived to transport the team to the airport, while the remainder of Pakistan’s contingent has since returned home.

Confirming the development, Police Scotland said enquiries were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the athletes’ disappearance.

“Police Scotland has received reports of several athletes who are unaccounted for. Enquiries are ongoing to assess the circumstances, and early engagement is taking place with the Home Office,” a police spokesperson said.

The Glasgow 2026 Organising Committee said it was working closely with Border Force and UK Visas & Immigration to ensure the secure conclusion of the Games, which featured about 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories.

The organisers added that the UK Home Office had carried out enhanced pre-arrival screening for participants and would consider any future asylum applications on a case-by-case basis.

The incident mirrors previous Commonwealth Games, where athletes have gone missing after the event.

At the 2014 Games, also hosted by Glasgow, dozens of competitors failed to return with their national teams. Two Ugandan rugby players later resurfaced in Cardiff, while Cameroonian weightlifter Cyrille Tchatchet II remained in the United Kingdom after fleeing his homeland before eventually rebuilding his career and winning a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games concluded on Sunday after 11 days of competition across four venues in Glasgow.