Following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 175 tournament visitors to Canada have officially applied for asylum. Data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirms that these individuals initially entered the country using temporary residence applications tied to the sporting event. Among the total claims filed, Nigerian nationals account for 10 of the applicants seeking refugee status.

According to official IRCC figures reported by The Globe and Mail , these statistics capture all filed claims processed up to the July 20, 2026 milestone. The documentation highlights a growing trend of international sports spectators utilizing major global events to transition into the Canadian refugee system.

Official figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveal that 175 individuals who traveled to Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have applied for asylum. These applicants originally entered the country under temporary residence visas specifically tied to the global soccer tournament. Out of the total refugee claims submitted by the international sports visitors, Nigerian nationals account for 10 of the cases.

According to data reported by The Globe and Mail , these official statistics track all processed refugee claims up to the July 20, 2026 milestone. The documented filings underscore an emerging pattern of international tournament attendees using high-profile sporting events as a pathway to seek resettlement within the Canadian asylum system.

While the immigration department declined to specify whether the asylum seekers were football players, team officials, support staff, or ordinary fans, the official breakdown shows that Ghana recorded the highest number of refugee protection claims at 25. Egypt and Colombia followed closely with 15 asylum applications each, while Senegal registered 10 claims and Ecuador accounted for five.

Among countries that did not qualify for the tournament but whose citizens travelled to Canada during the World Cup period, Kenya recorded 15 asylum claims, while China, Bangladesh and Nigeria each accounted for 10. Burundi, Nepal and Pakistan recorded five claims each.