Reports circulating on social media have alleged that 25 Ghanaians, said to be supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), have applied for asylum in Canada following their arrival for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The claims have fuelled intense political debate online, with some social media users calling on the Canadian authorities to reject the asylum applications and deport the individuals back to Ghana. However, there has been no official confirmation from either the Government of Ghana or the Government of Canada identifying the political affiliations of any asylum applicants.
According to data released by Canada’s immigration authorities, a total of 175 asylum claims had been lodged by individuals who entered the country on FIFA World Cup-related temporary residence permits as of 20 July 2026. Of those claims, 25 were reportedly made by Ghanaian nationals, although the figures do not disclose the reasons for the applications or the applicants’ political backgrounds.
Canada’s asylum system is governed by both domestic and international law. Every claimant undergoes security, medical and background checks, while each application is assessed individually by the country’s immigration authorities. An asylum claim does not automatically result in refugee protection or permanent residence, and applicants whose claims are rejected may be removed from Canada.
Immigration experts have also cautioned against drawing political conclusions from asylum applications, noting that refugee claims are determined on the basis of evidence relating to an individual’s safety and protection needs rather than political commentary or public opinion.
The development comes amid increased scrutiny of visitor visa compliance during the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which attracted thousands of international supporters from participating nations, including Ghana. Canadian immigration authorities have reiterated that every asylum application is assessed on its own merits in accordance with the country’s legal obligations and international refugee conventions.
