Twenty-five Ghanaians who travelled to Canada in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup have applied for asylum, according to figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The applications are part of 175 asylum claims submitted by foreign visitors who entered Canada on temporary residence permits linked to the tournament, which was co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.
According to the IRCC, Canada approved temporary residence applications for 26,111 people who indicated they were travelling in connection with the FIFA World Cup.
“As of July 20, 2026, 175 people with previously approved FIFA-related temporary residence applications had subsequently submitted asylum claims,” the department said.
The IRCC noted that the figures relate only to individuals who identified “FIFA World Cup 26” in their temporary residence applications.
Ghana among highest source countries
Ghana and China recorded the highest number of asylum applications, with 25 each.
Egypt and Colombia followed with 15 claims apiece, while Senegal, Bangladesh and Nigeria each recorded 10 applications.
Ecuador, Burundi, Nepal and Pakistan each accounted for five asylum claims.
Canadian authorities did not specify how many of the applicants were football players, team officials, support staff or ordinary visitors who travelled to attend the tournament.
Not an uncommon trend
Applications for asylum by foreign visitors during major international sporting events are not uncommon.
Following the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, about 200 Ghanaians reportedly sought asylum, citing religious persecution. The Government of Ghana at the time rejected those claims, describing them as unfounded.
The IRCC has not provided further details on the status of the latest asylum applications, which will be assessed under Canada’s immigration and refugee protection laws.
