A spokesperson for FIFA, the governing body of international soccer, has confirmed that three Cuban soccer players defected on Thursday, one day before their scheduled game against Team Canada.

It is unclear whether the players are currently in Canada or whether they may have made it to America, after some reports indicated that is where they were headed.

The defections left the Cuban team shorthanded, with only 11 players suiting up for their game against Canada.

Cuban coach Alexander Gonzales, through an interpreter, eventually admitted that some players had left the team.

Gonzales said four players had left the team, adding that one of them was sick.

“As with any Cuban sport team that travels around the world, they’re all chasing the American dream,” he said. “And it’s difficult to try to keep the team together. Obviously it’s a difficult situation for the team and it’s tough for me to talk about it.”

Canada dressed 10 substitutes for the game. Cuba’s bench, meanwhile, was empty other than for its coaches.

Canada, ranked 61st in the world, defeated No. 146 Cuba 3-0.

This isn’t the first time Cuban soccer players have fled to the United States while in Canada.

Last January, two players with the women’s team defected following a CONCACAF match against Canada in Vancouver.