In anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is tightening the review of visa applications. According to the Globe and Mail, this measure is aimed at preventing a potential increase in asylum requests.
The publication states that the department is carefully analyzing visa applications from football fans intending to attend the tournament. The main objective is to eliminate the possibility of entering the country with the intention of staying after the championship concludes.
It is important to note that tourists with tickets to matches may face visa denials or be turned away at the border if authorities suspect they will not return to their home country.
A representative of the Ministry, Isabelle Dubois, emphasized that the department will closely monitor any asylum requests related to FIFA events. "FIFA championships should not be seen as a means of obtaining asylum," she added.
In 2026, the championship will feature 48 national teams, marking a new development for the tournament.
