The recent FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Canada has highlighted significant challenges within the country’s immigration framework, as official figures reveal that more than 20,000 foreign nationals faced visa rejections while attempting to attend the tournament. This situation has particularly affected fans from Ghana and Nigeria, sparking concerns about the implications for tourism and international relations.
Thousands Denied Entry
Statistics from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicate that a staggering 20,845 visa applications related to the World Cup were denied. Despite Canada issuing 26,000 visas for the tournament, which included 13 matches held in Toronto and Vancouver throughout June and July, the refusal rate for applicants from certain nations has raised eyebrows.
Among the denied applications were 3,135 requests from Ghanaian supporters. The IRCC approved only 470 visas for Ghanaians, who had hoped to cheer on their national team during a match against Panama on June 17 in Toronto. In an alarming trend, 25 of those Ghanaians who had their visas denied later sought asylum in Canada—this figure stands as the highest asylum claim from any single nation linked to the World Cup.
Striking Disparities in Approvals
The situation mirrors the experience of Nigerian fans, where 1,965 applications were rejected out of just 220 approvals. This translates to an overwhelming 90 per cent denial rate for Nigerians, raising questions about the criteria employed by immigration officials.
Stephen Green, an immigration lawyer based in Toronto, commented, “The scrutiny was intense. Officers were checking not only for financial stability but also for the likelihood that applicants would return home after the tournament.” This stringent approach has led to criticism regarding the handling of applications from countries with strong footballing traditions, such as Nigeria and Ghana.
In contrast, Colombia, which played against Switzerland in Vancouver on July 7, saw a more favourable outcome, with 1,795 visas approved and only 815 rejected. Similarly, all Swiss fans who travelled for the tournament with electronic travel authorizations gained entry into Canada.
Broader Impacts on International Relations
The data further revealed that the majority of refugee claims—175 in total—were made by individuals whose national teams did not participate in the tournament. Among them were claims from Kenya, China, and Nigeria, illustrating a potentially concerning trend of individuals using significant international events as a gateway for asylum.
Templar Kalundu Iga, director of policy and global strategy at the Canadian Centre for African Affairs and Policy Research, pointed out the missed opportunity for Canada to leverage the World Cup to enhance its understanding of African tourism and mobility. He remarked, “The disparity between approvals and refusals is striking, and it risks framing African mobility solely through the lens of immigration risk rather than its potential benefits.”
Immigration Scrutiny Intensified
Prior to the World Cup, the IRCC warned ticket holders that they could face visa refusals or be turned away by border officials if there was any concern about their potential overstaying. This precautionary stance has been a hallmark of Canada’s immigration policy in recent years, especially amidst rising asylum claims from several source countries, including Mexico and Pakistan, where many applications were denied.
With the World Cup applications spanning from November 14, 2025, to May 31, 2026, the IRCC’s figures show that among the 2,795 applications from FIFA-invited individuals, all were approved, indicating a clear distinction in treatment based on the nature of the application.
Why it Matters
The high refusal rates of visa applications from Ghana, Nigeria, and others during a globally significant event such as the FIFA World Cup reflect deeper issues within Canada’s immigration policies. These statistics not only impact the individuals seeking to share in the cultural experience of the tournament but also signal to the world a need for a more nuanced approach to international relations and tourism. As Canada seeks to position itself on the global stage, the importance of balancing security concerns with the promotion of cultural exchange and tourism cannot be overstated. This situation may ultimately influence how Canada is perceived by its African partners and affect future engagements in sports and diplomacy.
