Nine African Nations Face Staggering Visa Rejection Rates for 2026 World Cup in Canada Nairobi, Kenya – A concerning trend has emerged ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, as several African countries have experienced unusually high refusal rates for visitor visas. Data from Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals that African applicants for visitor visas faced rejection rates ranging from 59. 1% to a staggering 96.
1%, reflecting significant visa hurdles for many football fans hoping to attend the tournament.
The Democratic Republic of Congo topped the list with a refusal rate of 96. 1%, followed by Kenya at 91. 1%.
Ghana, despite processing the highest number of applications among African nations, saw nearly 90% of applications rejected. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, had a 86. 0% refusal rate, while Senegal and Cameroon each recorded refusal rates exceeding 85%.
The data, which relates to temporary resident visa (TRV) and electronic travel authorization (eTA) applications identified as World Cup travel requests, shows that only 41% of all World Cup-related visitor visa and eTA applications from African nationals were approved during the reporting period.
The disparities partly reflect Canada’s two-track entry system, where travelers from visa-exempt countries can apply for an eTA, while most African nationals require a TRV, a process involving more extensive documentation and eligibility assessments.
The findings come as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, unfolds amid heightened immigration scrutiny across North America. While Canada’s data does not explain the reasons behind individual refusals, visitor visa applications are generally assessed based on factors such as the applicant’s purpose of travel, financial resources, travel history, and evidence that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.
The analysis also highlights the persistent mobility challenges facing many African travelers, even for major international events.
As the world prepares for the 2026 World Cup, the high visa rejection rates for African travelers underscore the complexities of international travel and the impact of immigration policies on global events.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Source: Solomon Ekanem
