25 Ghanaians who travelled to Canada for 2026 World Cup apply for asylum

Twenty-five Ghanaians who travelled to Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have filed asylum applications, according to figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The applications form part of 175 asylum claims submitted by foreign visitors who entered Canada after receiving temporary residence approval linked to the global football tournament, which was jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.

IRCC disclosed that it approved temporary residence applications for 26,111 individuals who indicated that they were travelling to Canada in connection with the FIFA World Cup. However, by July 20, 2026, a total of 175 of those visitors had gone on to seek 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 cited by Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail.

The department clarified that the figures only include applicants who specifically referenced “FIFA World Cup 26” in their temporary residence applications.

Ghana and China recorded the highest number of asylum applications among the countries listed, with 25 claims each. Egypt and Colombia followed with 15 applications apiece, while Senegal, Bangladesh and Nigeria each recorded 10 claims.

Ecuador, Burundi, Nepal and Pakistan accounted for five asylum applications each.

Canadian authorities did not provide details on whether the applicants were footballers, team officials, support staff or ordinary fans who travelled to watch matches during the tournament.

Applications for asylum by foreign sports participants and officials after major international competitions are not uncommon.

A similar situation occurred after the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, when about 200 Ghanaians reportedly applied for asylum in the country. The applicants cited religious persecution as their reason for seeking protection, claims that were rejected by the Ghanaian government at the time as unfounded.