FULL LIST: Nigerians among 175 World Cup visitors seeking asylum in Canada

A total of 175 individuals who visited Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have since applied for asylum, according to figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Among these claims, 10 were filed by Nigerian visitors.

The data, covering applications up to July 20, 2026, indicates that these 175 individuals identified themselves as FIFA World Cup visitors in their initial temporary residence applications. Canada co-hosted the tournament with the United States and Mexico, issuing over 26,000 visas to visitors associated with the event.

Ghana recorded the highest number of asylum claims among the visitors, with 25 individuals applying for refugee protection. Egypt and Colombia each had 15 claims, while Senegal and Nigeria each accounted for 10 claims. Visitors from Ecuador, Kenya, China, Bangladesh, Burundi, Nepal, and Pakistan also filed asylum claims.

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As of July 20, 2026, of the 26,111 individuals with prior FIFA-related approved temporary residence applications, 175 people later submitted asylum claims.

IRCC noted that the figures only include applicants who specifically flagged 'FIFA World Cup 26' in their applications and that the number could potentially rise if more visitors overstay their visas and subsequently file claims. The department declined to specify the occupations of the asylum seekers, such as players, staff, or fans.

Immigration consultants and lawyers have suggested that the number of asylum claims is relatively low given the vast number of visas issued. They indicated that Canadian authorities conducted thorough screening processes for visa applications, potentially denying entry to individuals believed to be unlikely to leave Canada after the tournament.

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It is important to note that this data only includes applicants who flagged ‘FIFA World Cup 26’ in their temporary residence applications.