World Cup: Ghana, Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Columbia top countries with highest applications, refusals for Canada visitor visas
Nigeria has been ranked among the top five countries with the highest number of applications and refusals for Canada special visitor visa for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The Toronto Star reported that despite Super Eagles not qualifying for the tournament, 1,293 Nigerians applied for visas to enter Canada for the World Cup, placing them fourth on the application list.
Preliminary data from the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada showed that between November 14, 2025, when the visa category was first announced and March 2026, 557 of those applications by Nigerians were rejected.
This also ranked the West African country fourth on the list of countries with the most rejections.
Meanwhile, Ghana ranked as the country with the highest visa applications, which stood at 1,953 as of March. The country also has the most refusal after 1,423 applications were denied.
This is despite the fact that the Black Stars of Ghana will start their World Cup campaign against Panama next Thursday.
Colombia ranked second on the list with 1,739 visa applications received from the South American country, India at 1,393 is third, while Pakistan with 1,085 applicants ranked fifth.
In Toronto and Vancouver, Canada will host 13 matches during the World Cup. Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina settled for 1-1 draw in opening Group B match on Friday.
Other teams set to place in the country include Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Iraq, Ivory Coast, New Zealand, Qatar, Senegal, Switzerland and Turkey.
Top five countries with most applications
Ghana — 1,953
Colombia — 1,739
India — 1,393
Nigeria — 1,293
Pakistan — 1,085
Top five countries with most rejections
Ghana — 1,423
Pakistan — 797
India — 687
Nigeria — 557
Colombia — 461
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