A total of 175 foreign visitors who travelled to Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have applied for asylum after the tournament, with Nigeria listed among the countries whose citizens are seeking to remain in the North American nation.

According to figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the asylum applications were filed by visitors who identified themselves as FIFA World Cup attendees in their temporary residence applications.

The immigration agency disclosed that, as of July 20, 2026, 175 asylum claims had been submitted by individuals who travelled to Canada for the global football tournament.

Canada hosted 13 FIFA World Cup matches in the cities of Toronto and Vancouver during June and July and issued more than 26,000 visas to visitors for the competition. The tournament ended with Spain defeating defending champions Argentina in the final.

Declined applications

However, the Canadian government declined to reveal how many of the asylum applicants were football players, officials, coaches or members of national team support staff.

Data released by the IRCC showed that Ghana recorded the highest number of asylum claims among World Cup visitors, with 25 citizens applying for refugee protection after the tournament.

Egypt and Colombia followed with 15 asylum claims each, while Senegal recorded 10 claims. Ecuador accounted for five applications.

The figures also revealed that asylum claims came from citizens of countries whose national teams did not qualify for the World Cup. These included 15 Kenyans, 10 Nigerians, 10 Chinese nationals, 10 Bangladeshis, as well as five applicants each from Burundi, Nepal and Pakistan.

In addition, five asylum claims were submitted by travellers who entered Canada using electronic travel authorisations (eTAs) instead of visitor visas.

The immigration department stated that 175 out of the 26,111 individuals whose FIFA-related temporary residence applications had been approved later submitted asylum claims.

According to the department, the data only covers applicants who specifically indicated “FIFA World Cup 26” in their temporary residence applications, suggesting the actual number could change if more visitors decide to seek asylum before their visas expire.

Strict scrutiny emphasized

Canadian authorities had earlier warned that visa applications connected to the World Cup would undergo strict scrutiny to ensure applicants genuinely intended to return to their home countries after the tournament.

The government also cautioned that visa applications could be rejected or travellers denied entry if immigration officials believed they intended to remain in Canada permanently.

The IRCC maintained that it carefully assessed applications before approving visas in a bid to prevent abuse of the immigration system. A Canadian immigration consultant quoted by The Globe and Mail disclosed that a number of Ghanaian applicants were refused visas before the tournament.

Despite the asylum applications, Toronto-based immigration lawyer Stephen Green said the process had been effectively managed by Canadian authorities, noting that 175 asylum claims represented a relatively small proportion of the more than 26,000 visas issued for FIFA World Cup visitors.

Ahead of the tournament, Canada had temporarily waived work permit requirements for FIFA-accredited personnel, including players, coaches, referees, match officials and medical staff, allowing them to enter the country on visitor visas.

Canada is not the first country to experience asylum claims linked to a major sporting event. Similar cases were recorded during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where athletes, officials and supporters from different countries sought refugee protection after arriving for the competitions.

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