Twenty-five Ghanaians who travelled to Canada during the 2026 FIFA World Cup have submitted asylum applications, according to figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The applications are part of 175 asylum claims made by foreign visitors who entered Canada after obtaining temporary residence approval linked to the tournament, which was jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.
175 World Cup-related asylum claims recorded
IRCC said it 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 of those individuals had later applied for asylum.
“Of the 26,111 individuals with prior FIFA-related approved temporary residence applications, 175 people later submitted asylum claims,” IRCC said in a statement reported by The Globe and Mail.
The department noted that the figures only cover applicants who identified “FIFA World Cup 26” in their temporary residence applications.
Ghana among countries with highest claims
According to the data, Ghana and China each recorded 25 asylum applications, the highest among the countries listed.
Egypt and Colombia each recorded 15 claims, while Senegal, Bangladesh and Nigeria each accounted for 10 applications.
Ecuador, Burundi, Nepal and Pakistan each had five asylum claims.
Canadian authorities did not disclose how many of the applicants were football players, team officials, support staff or fans who travelled to attend the tournament.
Similar cases recorded in the past
It is not uncommon for visitors connected to major international sporting events to seek asylum after arriving in host countries.
Following the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, about 200 Ghanaians reportedly applied for asylum, citing religious persecution.
At the time, the Government of Ghana rejected those claims, describing them as unfounded.
The latest figures highlight how major global events can sometimes become pathways for individuals seeking international protection, although each asylum application is assessed independently under Canadian immigration laws.
