Côte d’Ivoire international Elye Wahi has been denied entry to Canada for his country's World Cup fixture against Germany, scheduled for Saturday in Toronto. The Côte d’Ivoire football federation (FIF) confirmed on Thursday that the necessary administrative authorisations for Wahi’s entry into Canadian territory could not be secured at this time. This development means the striker, who started in Côte d’Ivoire’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Monday in Philadelphia, will remain in the United States while the team travels.
The decision to deny Wahi entry follows an ongoing investigation into alleged fixing. The French football league had previously alerted authorities to an “unusual amount of bets” placed internationally on Wahi receiving a yellow card during a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz on 17 May, which ended in a goalless draw. Wahi, who was on loan to Nice from Eintracht Frankfurt at the time, was indeed shown a yellow card during that game. This information was subsequently passed to relevant police and gambling authorities, as well as the French football federation.
Further details emerged from the Marseille prosecutor’s office, which confirmed the arrest of a 23-year-old professional football player on 29 May 2026 as part of their investigation. The inquiry is focused on alleged offences including organised fraud, organised sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering. The player in question was questioned by police but later released without being detained, with the investigation still active. Wahi's representatives have not yet commented on the matter.
Despite the unfolding situation, the Côte d’Ivoire football federation has expressed its full support for Wahi. FIF stated that it has not been officially informed of any judicial or administrative proceedings directly concerning the player. The federation reiterated its confidence in Wahi, affirming that he remains a vital member of the Côte d’Ivoire national team during what it described as a “particularly delicate period.”
Wahi had a productive spell at Nice after joining on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in January, scoring nine goals in 19 appearances and contributing to the club reaching the French Cup final. His absence from the upcoming World Cup match against Germany could impact Côte d’Ivoire’s performance, particularly given his role in their opening victory. The ongoing investigation casts a shadow over the promising career of the young striker.
Source: Côte d’Ivoire football federation, French football league, Marseille prosecutor’s office