Ghanaians accounted for the highest number of asylum claims among African nationals who travelled to Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada cited by DW Africa.
The figures show that 25 Ghanaian citizens who obtained temporary visas linked to the tournament later applied for asylum in Canada.
Egypt recorded the second-highest number of asylum claims among the African countries listed, with 15 applications, while Senegal and Nigeria each recorded 10 claims. Burundi followed with five.
Overall, 175 people who received temporary visas connected to the World Cup subsequently sought asylum in Canada.
The Canadian authorities had approved more than 26,000 visa applications linked to the tournament, with applicants coming from several countries around the world.
Besides the African countries, asylum claims were also recorded among nationals from China, Colombia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Ecuador.
The latest figures have brought renewed attention to the issue of visitors seeking asylum after entering countries on temporary visas.
Ghana has previously been involved in a similar situation. Following the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, about 200 Ghanaians reportedly applied for asylum, citing religious persecution as the basis for their claims.
The Ghanaian government, however, dismissed the claims at the time as baseless.
Canadian authorities have not disclosed whether those who applied for asylum after the 2026 World Cup were football players, team officials, support staff or ordinary visitors who travelled to attend the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, has drawn visitors from across the globe, with Canada hosting several matches as part of the expanded 48-team tournament.
