A group of Ghanaians who entered Canada in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup have filed asylum claims, sparking widespread discussion about immigration and international sporting events.
Figures attributed to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada indicate that 25 Ghanaian nationals who received temporary entry approvals linked to the tournament later applied for refugee protection. Ghana recorded one of the highest numbers of claims among the countries listed in the data.
The Ghanaians form part of 175 foreign nationals who sought asylum after entering Canada with temporary residence approvals connected to the World Cup. Canadian authorities reportedly approved 26,111 such applications from people who identified the tournament as part of their reason for travelling.
Canada hosted 13 matches in Toronto and Vancouver between June 11 and July 19, welcoming supporters, officials and other visitors from around the world. Ghana’s Black Stars played their opening match against Panama in Toronto on June 17.
Although the development has been described in some reports as the visitors refusing to return home, filing an asylum application is a formal legal process. It does not automatically mean the applicants have been granted permission to remain permanently in Canada.
The identities of the 25 Ghanaians have not been disclosed. Canadian authorities have also not revealed whether they were ordinary football supporters, media personnel, team officials or other tournament-related visitors. The individual reasons presented in support of their claims remain unknown.
Ghana and China reportedly recorded 25 applications each, while Egypt and Colombia followed with 15 apiece. Nationals from Senegal, Nigeria, Bangladesh and several other countries were also included in the figures.
The situation has revived memories of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, when about 200 Ghanaians reportedly applied for asylum after travelling to the tournament. Ghanaian authorities rejected the reasons presented by those applicants at the time.
Each of the latest claims will have to be examined individually under Canadian immigration law. Until decisions are made, it would be inaccurate to describe all the applicants as illegal immigrants or conclude that their asylum requests will be successful.
