Over 175 asylum claims have been submitted by visitors who attended the FIFA World Cup in Canada, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The majority of applicants came from Ghana, Egypt, and Colombia, with many citing their participation in the tournament as the reason for seeking refuge.Canada issued 26,000 visas for World Cup attendees, but the number of asylum claims remains relatively low compared to the volume of visitors.IRCC noted that the data only includes applicants who explicitly flagged their World Cup attendance on visa forms.The government has tightened asylum rules, barring long-term residents from accessing refugee hearings.

While some countries, like Qatar, paid for fans to attend matches, the focus remains on managing the influx of visitors and ensuring compliance with immigration laws.The situation highlights the intersection of international sports events and migration policy.