Twenty-five Ghanaians who travelled to Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have applied for asylum.

According to data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the applications are part of 175 asylum claims filed by foreign nationals 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 stated that a total of 26,111 people were granted temporary residence after indicating they were travelling to Canada in connection with the World Cup.

However, by July 20, 2026, 175 of those individuals had gone on to submit asylum claims.

"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 The Globe and Mail.

Canadian immigration authorities explained that the figures only include applicants who specifically listed ‘FIFA World Cup 26’ as the purpose of their temporary residence applications.

Ghana and China recorded the highest number of asylum claims, with 25 applications each.

Ghana records highest World Cup-related Canadian visa denials

Egypt and Colombia followed with 15 claims, while Senegal, Bangladesh and Nigeria each recorded 10 applications.

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

Canadian authorities did not disclose the identities or backgrounds of the applicants, making it unclear whether they were footballers, team officials, support staff or fans who travelled to attend the tournament.

Asylum applications by visitors during major international sporting events are not uncommon.

During the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, about 200 Ghanaians reportedly sought asylum, citing claims of religious persecution.

The Ghanaian government rejected those allegations at the time.

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World Cup leads to 175 asylum claims from visitors who arrived in Canada for matches https://t.co/Tc471eeLgk pic.twitter.com/bifLyqsH9Q

— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) July 23, 2026