Canadian immigration authorities have confirmed that 175 foreign nationals who travelled to the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have submitted asylum claims after the tournament, with Nigerians among the visitors seeking refugee protection.
The claims were filed by individuals who entered Canada during the World Cup, which the country co-hosted alongside the United States and Mexico. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the applicants had identified themselves as FIFA World Cup-related visitors when applying for temporary residence permits.
The development has drawn attention to the use of major international sporting events as opportunities for migration, with officials noting that the figures may still change as additional cases are processed.
Data released by IRCC showed that Ghana recorded the highest number of asylum claims among visitors linked to the tournament, with 25 people applying for refugee protection after the competition ended.
Egypt and Colombia each accounted for 15 claims, while Senegal recorded 10 applications. Ecuador registered five claims among countries whose national teams participated in matches hosted by Canada.
The immigration department also provided figures for visitors from countries that did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but travelled to Canada during the tournament period.
In that category, Kenya recorded the highest number of claims with 15 asylum applications. China, Bangladesh and Nigeria each accounted for 10 claims, while Burundi, Nepal and Pakistan recorded five applications each.
IRCC further 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 regarding the figures, the department said the data reflected asylum applications submitted by individuals who had previously received FIFA-related temporary residence approvals.
“As of July 20, 2026, of the 26,111 individuals with prior FIFA-related approved temporary residence applications, 175 people later submitted asylum claims,” the department stated.
IRCC clarified that the statistics only covered applicants who specifically indicated “FIFA World Cup 26” in their temporary residence applications, meaning the actual number of visitors connected to the tournament who may later seek asylum could be higher.
Officials also noted that the figure could still increase if more visitors overstay their authorised period of stay and subsequently file refugee claims.
Canada hosted part of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, staging 13 matches in the cities of Toronto and Vancouver. The tournament was jointly organised by Canada, the United States and Mexico and attracted tens of thousands of international visitors.
More than 26,000 visas and travel approvals were issued to individuals linked to the World Cup, including fans, officials, media personnel and other visitors connected with the event.
The asylum claims represent a small proportion of the total number of approved FIFA-related entries, but the figures have nonetheless generated public and political interest.
The 2026 tournament concluded with Spain emerging champions after defeating defending champions Argentina in the final.
According to the breakdown released by Canadian immigration authorities, the asylum claims by nationality were as follows:
- Ghana — 25
- Egypt — 15
- Colombia — 15
- Senegal — 10
- Ecuador — 5
- Kenya — 15
- China — 10
- Bangladesh — 10
- Nigeria — 10
- Burundi — 5
- Nepal — 5
- Pakistan — 5
The figures underscore the continued pressure on Canada’s asylum system, which has experienced significant demand in recent years from individuals seeking refugee protection from a wide range of countries.
Under Canadian law, asylum claims are assessed individually by the Immigration and Refugee Board, which determines whether applicants meet the legal definition of a refugee or a person in need of protection.
For now, immigration officials say the reported numbers represent only the applications submitted as of July 20, 2026, and that further claims connected to World Cup visitors could still emerge in the coming weeks or months.
