TORONTO — At least 175 visitors who traveled to Canada for the FIFA World Cup have submitted claims for asylum, according to federal immigration figures.
Canada hosted 13 tournament matches in Toronto and Vancouver during June and July, issuing over 26,000 temporary visas to foreign fans and participants. Spain won the international championship on Sunday after defeating former titleholder Argentina.
Ghanaians led all nations in refugee applications. 25 citizens from Ghana who marked “FIFA World Cup 26″ on their visitor visa forms lodged claims. Ghana played Panama in Toronto on June 17.
Visitors from Egypt and Colombia filed 15 asylum claims each. Senegalese nationals submitted 10 claims, and five Ecuadorians requested refugee status.
Claims also came from visitors whose home countries did not qualify for the tournament. These included 15 requests from Kenya, 10 each from Bangladesh, China, and Nigeria, and five each from Burundi, Nepal, and Pakistan.
In addition, five claims came from travelers who entered Canada without a traditional visa using an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Citizens of Qatar became eligible for eTA access in November 2025.
The Qatari government funded trips for about 1,000 supporters to attend group matches, including a match against Canada in Vancouver. A group of fans arrived on a private jet provided by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to watch Canada beat Qatar 6-0, where Canadian striker Jonathan David scored a historic hat trick.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed the latest figures in an official statement: “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 agency noted that “It is important to note that this data only includes applicants who flagged ‘FIFA World Cup 26′ in their temporary-residence applications,”. IRCC declined to disclose whether any of the claimants were players or team staff members.
Before the tournament began, Canadian officials warned travelers that border officers would reject anyone suspected of intending to stay permanently. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab suspended work permit requirements for tournament staff, players, and match officials, allowing them to enter on standard visitor visas.
The government also tightened broader immigration policies recently. New rules prevent individuals who have lived in Canada for more than a year from receiving a hearing before the independent refugee tribunal.
Toronto immigration lawyer Stephen Green said “the government did a great job of assessing applications” because the total number of claims remains small compared to overall visitor numbers.
International sporting events regularly see asylum claims from both spectators and official participants.
During the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, 22 people filed refugee claims in Canada. Seven of those claimants were members of the “Olympic family” representing nine different countries.
Similarly, 82 athletes and sports officials applied for asylum in the United Kingdom during the 2012 London Olympics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many World Cup visitors requested asylum in Canada?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recorded 175 refugee claims as of July 20, 2026, from visitors who flagged “FIFA World Cup 26” on their travel applications.
Which country had the highest number of asylum claims?
Ghana led all nationalities with 25 citizens lodging asylum requests. Egypt and Colombia followed with 15 claims each.
Did soccer players or support staff apply for refugee status?
IRCC declined to disclose whether any of the 175 claims came from players or team officials. However, temporary work permit rules were suspended during the tournament for qualified sports personnel.
Can visitors from visa-exempt countries seek asylum?
Yes. Five of the asylum claims came from travelers who entered Canada using an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) rather than a traditional visa.
Why did fans from non-participating countries apply for asylum?
Some visitors from nations that did not play in the tournament—such as Kenya, China, and Bangladesh—used temporary resident visas associated with the World Cup to enter Canada before making refugee claims.
Has this happened at other major sporting events in Canada?
Yes. During the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, 22 individuals filed refugee claims in Canada, seven of whom were members of the official “Olympic family”.
