World Cup 2026: Ghana fans hit hardest as Canada approves fewer than 11% of visa applications

Thousands of football supporters have been unable to attend matches in Canada during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after strict immigration controls resulted in low approval rates for visitor applications, according to official data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) cited by CTV News.

The figures show that Ghanaian fans were the worst affected among all nations.

Between November 2025 and March 2026, Ghana submitted 1,725 World Cup-related applications, the highest total of any country, but fewer than 11% were approved, leaving more than 1,500 supporters unable to travel to watch the Black Stars in Toronto and Vancouver.

The statistics have intensified criticism in Ghana, particularly after midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada for the Black Stars’ opening match against Panama. Ghana’s government previously described that decision as “high-handed and extremely unfair.”

The contrast with other countries has raised further questions.

Colombia, whose national team did not play a single group-stage match on Canadian soil, recorded 1,630 applications and enjoyed a significantly higher approval rate of 69%. Meanwhile, Australia, Germany, Croatia and New Zealand reportedly achieved approval rates of 100%.

Overall, Canada processed nearly 17,000 World Cup-related visitor visa and electronic travel authorization (eTA) requests from more than 160 countries during the period. Only about 41% received approval.

The data also revealed a sharp divide based on the type of travel authorization required.

Citizens eligible for an electronic travel authorization enjoyed a 96% approval rate, while those needing traditional visitor visas saw approvals fall to just 32%. Countries including Syria, Uganda and Sri Lanka reportedly failed to secure a single approved application during the reporting period.

Canadian authorities have defended their approach, insisting that hosting a global sporting event does not alter immigration laws or border security procedures.

An IRCC spokesperson stated that Canada was working closely with FIFA to facilitate travel while maintaining public safety and security standards. Officials also emphasized that there is no special “FIFA visa” pathway, with all supporters required to follow existing immigration procedures.

The published figures do not include United States citizens, who do not require visas to enter Canada, nor foreign nationals who travelled using previously valid permits.

For many Ghanaian supporters, however, the numbers tell a painful story.

At a World Cup jointly hosted across North America, thousands of Black Stars fans were denied the opportunity to witness their nation’s campaign in person, despite representing the largest pool of applicants among all participating countries.