Omanghana
The figures, first reported by The Globe and Mail, indicate that Ghanaians were among the largest national groups to submit asylum claims linked to the tournament.
As of July 20, 2026, Canadian authorities had recorded 175 refugee claims from individuals who entered the country using FIFA-related temporary resident visas.
Canada reportedly approved 26,111 World Cup-related visitor visas for supporters, media professionals and other accredited personnel. Immigration officials noted that the 175 asylum applications represented only a small proportion of the total number of approved visitors.
Ghana and China recorded the highest number of applications, with 25 claims each. Kenya followed with 15, while 10 applications were submitted by Nigerian nationals.
Some of the applicants came from countries that did not qualify for the tournament, suggesting that access to FIFA-related travel arrangements was not limited to supporters of participating national teams. Visitors may also have travelled as spectators, journalists, volunteers, contractors or event personnel.
The IRCC has not released the names or specific roles of the asylum seekers, citing privacy considerations. It therefore remains unclear whether the Ghanaian applicants travelled as ordinary football fans, media workers or members of tournament support teams.
The applications were submitted despite strict immigration screening measures introduced by Canadian authorities before the World Cup.
Canadian officials had warned prospective visitors that possessing a match ticket did not guarantee approval of a visa or admission at the border. Applicants were required to demonstrate that they had legitimate travel plans, adequate financial resources and sufficient reasons to return home after the tournament.
Reports from immigration consultants suggested that Ghanaian applicants faced refusal rates ranging from 73% to 89%. Some estimates indicated that only about 11% of applications from Ghana were approved, although outcomes may have varied depending on applicants’ circumstances and visa categories.
Canadian immigration authorities had expressed concern that some visitors could use the tournament as a route to remain in the country after their visas expired. However, filing an asylum claim does not automatically guarantee permanent residence or refugee status.
Each applicant must establish before Canadian immigration authorities that returning to their home country would expose them to persecution, torture, a threat to life or cruel and unusual treatment. Claims are considered individually, and unsuccessful applicants may be required to leave Canada after exhausting the available legal processes.
The development recalls events surrounding the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, when more than 200 Ghanaian supporters reportedly sought asylum after leaving their travel groups. Some cited religious or regional conflict as the basis of their applications.
Canadian authorities are expected to continue processing the latest claims in accordance with the country’s refugee protection laws while monitoring compliance among other temporary visitors admitted for the World Cup.
Source: Omanghana
