175 foreigners who came to Canada during the FIFA World Cup 2026 have filed asylum applications, after which Canadian immigration authorities have started the process of reviewing these applications.
According to Geosnews, a total of 13 matches were played in Toronto and Vancouver during the World Cup, for which Canada issued about 26,000 visas.
Thousands of fans from around the world submitted applications for tourist visas, but more than 50 percent of these applications were rejected. Of the foreigners who have arrived in Canada, 175 have so far applied for asylum, which will be decided on an individual basis in accordance with Canadian refugee laws.
Immigration officials did not clarify how many of the applicants are athletes, team officials or ordinary fans. However, according to available data, 25 Ghanaians, 15 Egyptians and 15 Colombians have submitted asylum applications. Officials say this number may increase in the coming days.
It should be remembered that before the World Cup, Canadian authorities had clarified that visas issued for sports events are not a means of obtaining permanent residence or political asylum and that illegal stay in the country after the specified period has expired will not be allowed.
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