Twenty-five Ghanaian nationals have filed asylum claims in Canada after entering the country on temporary visitor visas issued in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to immigration data reported by The Globe and Mail.
The Ghanaian applicants constitute the largest national group among 175 asylum claimants who entered Canada using special tournament-related visas issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars, opened their group-stage campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17, drawing supporters from Ghana and other countries.
Canada issued 26,111 temporary resident visas to facilitate international travel for fans attending the 13 FIFA World Cup matches hosted in Toronto and Vancouver during June and July. IRCC data indicate that, as of July 20, 2026, 175 visa holders had submitted asylum claims.
Federal immigration authorities did not indicate whether any of the claims were submitted by accredited team officials, players, or support staff.
Breakdown by Nationality
According to the reported data, asylum claims were also filed by nationals of several other countries participating in the tournament. These included:
- Ghana: 25 claims
- Egypt: 15 claims
- Senegal: 10 claims
IRCC also reported claims from nationals of countries that did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
- Kenya: 15 claims
- Nigeria: 10 claims
- Burundi: 5 claims
- Nepal: 5 claims
Immigration officials noted that the total number of claims could change as temporary visas approach their expiry dates.
Ahead of the tournament, IRCC advised visitors that holding a visa or match ticket did not guarantee entry into Canada and that border officers could refuse admission if they determined a traveller did not meet entry requirements. Media reports also indicated that some visa applications from Ghana were refused during the pre-tournament screening process.
Canada has experienced similar asylum claims during previous international sporting events. During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, 22 individuals reportedly sought refugee protection, including some Ghanaian nationals. During the London 2012 Olympic Games, 82 athletes and official delegates were reported to have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom.
According to The Globe and Mail, the figures reflect asylum claims filed by holders of World Cup-related temporary visas and do not indicate the outcome of those claims. Under Canadian law, each asylum application is assessed individually through the country’s refugee determination process.
