175 World Cup Visitors Seek Asylum in Canada as Ghana Tops Claims List

A total of 175 visitors who traveled to Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have applied for asylum following the conclusion of the tournament, according to official figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Data published by IRCC indicates that as of July 20, 2026, 175 individuals who identified as tournament visitors on their temporary residence applications subsequently filed claims for refugee protection. Canada, which co-hosted the tournament alongside the United States and Mexico, issued over 26,000 tournament-related visas and hosted 13 matches across Toronto and Vancouver.

Ghana recorded the highest number of claims among participating nations with 25 applicants. Egypt and Colombia followed with 15 claims each, while Senegal accounted for 10 and Ecuador recorded five.

Among nations that did not qualify for the tournament, Kenya led with 15 asylum applications. China, Bangladesh, and Nigeria each registered 10 claims, while Burundi, Nepal, and Pakistan filed five claims apiece. An additional five claims were submitted by travelers who entered the country using Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTA) rather than temporary resident visas.

IRCC declined to specify whether the applicants included players, official team staff, or general spectators, noting that figures could rise if additional visitors overstay their visas and file claims later. Immigration experts characterized the number of claims as relatively low compared to the total volume of visas issued, attributing the figures to rigorous pre-tournament screening protocols.

Breakdown of Asylum Claims by Nationality

Participating Nations:

Ghana: 25

Egypt: 15

Colombia: 15

Senegal: 10

Ecuador: 5

Non-Participating Nations:

Kenya:15

China: 10

Bangladesh: 10

Nigeria: 10

Burundi: 5

Nepal: 5

Pakistan: 5