A total of 175 foreign visitors who travelled to Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have reportedly filed asylum claims, including 10 Nigerians seeking refugee protection after the tournament.
Canadian immigration authorities confirmed that the applications were submitted by foreign nationals who entered the country during the tournament, which Canada co-hosted with the United States and Mexico.
The asylum seekers reportedly identified themselves as FIFA World Cup visitors in their temporary residence applications.
According to figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Ghana recorded the highest number of asylum claims among the nationalities listed, with 25 visitors applying for refugee protection.
Egypt and Colombia recorded 15 claims each, while Senegal had 10. Ecuador accounted for five claims among visitors from countries whose national teams participated in matches hosted by Canada.
Among visitors from countries that did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but travelled to Canada during the tournament, Kenya recorded the highest number of asylum claims with 15.
China and Bangladesh each recorded 10 claims, the same number recorded for Nigeria, while Burundi, Nepal and Pakistan recorded five applications each.
IRCC also disclosed that an additional five asylum claims were submitted by travellers who entered Canada using electronic travel authorisations rather than temporary resident visas.
Responding to enquiries about the figures, the department said that as of July 20, 2026, 175 people out of 26,111 individuals with previously approved FIFA-related temporary residence applications had subsequently submitted asylum claims.
“It is important to note that this data only includes applicants who flagged ‘FIFA World Cup 26’ in their temporary residence applications,” the department said.
IRCC noted that the figure could increase if more visitors overstayed their visas and subsequently filed refugee claims.
Canada co-hosted the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, staging 13 matches in Toronto and Vancouver. More than 26,000 visas were reportedly issued to visitors linked to the tournament.
Spain won the tournament after defeating defending champions Argentina in the final.
Asylum Claims by Nationality
- Ghana — 25
- Egypt — 15
- Colombia — 15
- Senegal — 10
- Ecuador — 5
- Kenya — 15
- China — 10
- Bangladesh — 10
- Nigeria — 10
- Burundi — 5
- Nepal — 5
- Pakistan — 5
