At least 15 Kenyan nationals are among 175 foreign visitors who submitted refugee claims in Canada after travelling to the country on visas issued for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This number comes from figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as of July 20, 2026.
According to the IRCC, the data covers 26,111 individuals who received FIFA-related approved temporary residence applications. Of that total, 175 went on to lodge asylum claims, The Globe and Mail reported.
Background
The 15 Kenyans who filed claims fall into a notable category of claimants who came from countries whose national teams never competed in the tournament. This includes 10 nationals each from China, Bangladesh, and Nigeria, as well as five each from Burundi, Nepal, and Pakistan. Ghana recorded the highest number of claims with 25 individuals seeking asylum after their team faced Panama in Toronto on June 17.
Ghana's team faced Panama in Toronto on June 17, while Egypt's team played New Zealand in Vancouver on June 21, and Colombia's team met Switzerland in Vancouver on July 7. Senegal's team met Iraq in Toronto on June 26, and Ecuador's team also filed claims.
What This Means
The IRCC noted that the figures only capture applicants who specifically indicated FIFA World Cup 26 on their temporary residence documents. This means that the total could still rise, particularly as foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas may file for refugee status at a later stage. Before the tournament, Canadian authorities had warned ticketholders that visa applications would be closely reviewed to identify anyone suspected of planning to seek asylum instead of returning home.
Reports emerged that several Ghanaian fans were refused visas on those grounds. Ottawa has since tightened its asylum framework, blocking individuals who have been in Canada for over a year from accessing hearings before the independent refugee tribunal.
What Happens Next
The IRCC declined to confirm how many of the claims originated from players or support personnel attached to visiting squads. The department cautioned that the total could still rise, particularly as foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas may file for refugee status at a later stage. The IRCC also noted that several of the claimants came from countries whose national teams never competed in the tournament.
The visa covers short-term trips to Canada for purposes including tourism, visiting family or friends, and other brief activities. The six key eligibility criteria for visa applications were set out by Canada's immigration authorities before the tournament. South Sudan denies claims it allows nationals from only two African countries to enter visa-free.
Source: Tuko
