At least 15 Kenyan nationals are among 175 foreign visitors who submitted refugee claims in Canada after attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The data, current as of July 20, 2026, shows that 26,111 individuals received FIFA-related temporary residence applications, with 175 lodging asylum claims.

Notably, several claimants came from countries whose national teams never competed in the tournament, including Kenya, China, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.Ghana had the highest number of claims with 25 individuals, following their match against Panama.Canada has warned that more asylum applications could come as visa overstays continue.The IRCC emphasized that the figures only capture applicants who specifically indicated the FIFA World Cup 26 on their documents.The government has tightened asylum rules, blocking those who have been in Canada for over a year from accessing refugee hearings.This highlights the growing impact of international sporting events on immigration policies.