Ten Nigerians are among 175 foreign nationals who applied for asylum in Canada after travelling to the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to figures released by Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The data, first reported by The Globe and Mail and confirmed by IRCC, show that the asylum applications were filed by individuals who identified themselves as FIFA World Cup visitors in their temporary residence visa applications. As of July 20, 2026, Canada had recorded 175 asylum claims linked to visitors who attended the global football tournament.
Canada co-hosted the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, staging 13 matches in Toronto and Vancouver. Canadian authorities issued more than 26,000 temporary resident visas to visitors associated with the tournament.
According to the IRCC figures, Ghana recorded the highest number of asylum claims with 25 applicants, followed by Colombia (18), Egypt (15), Pakistan (11), Nigeria (10) and Senegal (10). Other countries represented on the list include India, Burundi, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and several others.
Canadian immigration authorities did not disclose whether the applicants were football fans, tournament staff or other accredited visitors. The data only indicate that they had identified themselves as World Cup visitors when applying for temporary entry into Canada.
Under Canadian law, individuals may apply for refugee protection after arriving in the country if they believe they face persecution, conflict or other serious risks in their home countries. Filing an asylum claim does not automatically result in refugee status, as each application is assessed individually under Canada’s immigration and refugee protection framework.
The figures have drawn attention to the use of major international sporting events as opportunities for migration, a trend that has been observed in previous global tournaments hosted by various countries. Canadian officials have not indicated that the World Cup visa programme will be altered as a result of the asylum applications.
