Twenty-five Ghanaians who travelled to Canada during the 2026 FIFA World Cup have applied for asylum, according to figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The applications form part of 175 asylum claims submitted by foreign nationals who entered Canada after receiving temporary residence approval linked to the tournament, which was jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.
IRCC revealed that 26,111 people were granted temporary residence approval after indicating they intended to travel to Canada for the World Cup. However, by July 20, 2026, a total of 175 individuals from that group had filed asylum claims.
“Of the 26,111 individuals with prior FIFA-related approved temporary residence applications, 175 people later submitted asylum claims,” IRCC stated, according to Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail.
Ghana and China recorded the highest number of asylum applications, with 25 claims each. Egypt and Colombia followed with 15 applications apiece, while Senegal, Bangladesh and Nigeria each recorded 10 claims.
Canadian authorities did not reveal whether the applicants were football supporters, players, officials, members of team delegations or other visitors connected to the tournament.
The situation echoes a similar development after the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, when around 200 Ghanaians sought asylum after travelling for the competition. Those applicants cited religious persecution, but Ghanaian authorities later dismissed the claims as unfounded.
The latest figures highlight the wider immigration challenges that often accompany major international sporting events, as host nations manage increased travel demands and temporary visitors after tournaments conclude.
