175 Foreign Visitors Apply for Asylum in Canada During FIFA World Cup

OTTAWA: (NOORUL AMIN) – A total of 175 foreign nationals who traveled to Canada during the FIFA World Cup have applied for asylum, according to media reports. Their claims will be assessed under Canada’s refugee determination process in accordance with Canadian immigration and refugee laws.

Canada hosted 13 FIFA World Cup matches in the cities of Toronto and Vancouver, issuing approximately 26,000 visas to international visitors for the tournament. Thousands of football fans from around the world had applied for Canadian visitor visas, although more than half of those applications were reportedly refused.

Among those who entered Canada, 175 individuals have now filed asylum claims. Reports indicate that 25 applicants are from Ghana, while 15 each are from Egypt and Colombia. Officials say the total number of asylum applications could increase as additional claims are processed.

Canadian immigration authorities have not disclosed whether any of the asylum applicants are football players, team officials, or other members of FIFA delegations.

Ahead of the tournament, Canadian authorities had warned international visitors that obtaining a visa for the FIFA World Cup was not a pathway to remaining in Canada beyond the authorized period or securing refugee protection. However, under Canadian law, any person who is physically present in the country has the right to make an asylum claim, which is assessed individually based on the evidence presented and the legal criteria for refugee protection.