World cup ticket is not a Visa - Canadian high commissioner warns fans

The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Myriam Montrat, has issued a strong warning to football fans and prospective travellers, cautioning that holding a FIFA World Cup match ticket does not guarantee entry into Canada.

Speaking at the National Forum on Trafficking Through Sports in Accra on Thursday, Ms Montrat stressed that all travellers must still meet standard immigration requirements, regardless of their plans to attend the global tournament.

“A match ticket is not a visa. Every traveller must still satisfy the required immigration procedures before travelling,” she said.

The forum, held at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana, brought together stakeholders to address the growing risks of human trafficking linked to international sporting events.

Ms Montrat noted that large-scale tournaments such as the World Cup often attract thousands of hopeful travellers, creating opportunities for traffickers to exploit public excitement. She warned that false promises and misinformation are commonly used to lure unsuspecting individuals into fraudulent travel schemes.

“Traffickers take advantage of the enthusiasm around such events, spreading misleading information and targeting vulnerable people seeking opportunities abroad,” she said.

Canadian authorities, she explained, have introduced stricter measures aimed at preventing human trafficking and protecting those at risk. These efforts form part of broader international cooperation to ensure safe and lawful migration ahead of the tournament.

The High Commissioner urged Ghanaians to rely only on official sources, such as embassies and authorised agencies, when making travel arrangements.

The event forms part of ongoing awareness campaigns to educate the public, particularly young people and sports enthusiasts, about the dangers of trafficking linked to sports events.

Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to working with global partners to combat human trafficking and strengthen safeguards as preparations for the World Cup continue.