27.7.2026
Dozens of football fans who travelled to Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are refusing go back home.
According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 175 people who visited during the World Cup from are total of 26,111 have applied for asylum.
The USA, Canada and Mexico hosted the World Cup 13 matches took place in Canada, in Vancouver and Toronto.
“Canada is proud to have welcomed thousands of visitors for FIFA World Cup 2026, including athletes, coaches, officials, medical staff, media, corporate sponsors and fans from around the world,” wrote IRCC spokesperson Anahita Beladi in an email to CTV News.
“While some individuals who enter Canada as visitors may later make an asylum claim, the vast majority of visitors comply with the conditions of their stay and the data speaks to it,” Beladi added.
Ghana topped the list of visiting fans seeking asylum, with 25 people, followed by Colombia, Egypt and Kenya with 15 applicants each. Others include Bangladesh, Burundi, Ecuador, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, China and Senegal.
Ghana fans...some are staying back in Canada.