Nigerians Among 175 World Cup Visitors Who Sought Asylum in Canada After FIFA Tournament

Canada's immigration authorities have confirmed that 175 visitors who entered the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup later filed asylum claims, with 10 Nigerians included among the applicants. The figures were released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and reported by several international media outlets.

Canada co-hosted the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, staging matches in Toronto and Vancouver. More than 26,000 temporary visas were issued to visitors connected with the tournament. According to IRCC, as of 20 July 2026, 175 people who identified themselves as World Cup visitors had subsequently applied for asylum.

Nigerians Among Several Nationalities

The official data shows that the asylum applicants came from a number of countries.

Among those whose national teams participated in matches hosted in Canada, Egypt and Colombia each recorded 15 asylum claims, while Senegal recorded 10 and Ecuador recorded five. Among countries that did not qualify for the tournament but whose citizens travelled to Canada during the World Cup period, Kenya recorded 15 claims, while Nigeria, China and Bangladesh each recorded 10. Burundi, Nepal and Pakistan also featured on the list.

What an Asylum Claim Means

An asylum claim is a legal request by an individual seeking protection in another country because they fear persecution or serious harm if they return to their home country.

Filing an asylum claim does not automatically mean the applicant will be granted refugee status. Each application is assessed individually under Canadian immigration and refugee laws before a decision is made.

Debate Over Migration and Major Sporting Events

The figures have renewed debate about the use of temporary visas issued for international sporting events and whether host countries should tighten screening procedures.

Immigration experts note that while the number of asylum claims represents only a small fraction of the more than 26,000 World Cup-related visas issued, the issue is likely to attract attention as governments review immigration policies for future global events.

Canadian authorities have not suggested that any laws were broken simply because visitors later sought asylum. Under Canadian law, individuals who meet the legal requirements may submit an asylum application after entering the country, and each case is considered on its own merits.