Ivory Coast’s striker Elye Wahi has been prevented from entering Canada ahead of their second 2026 FIFA World Cup group game. The 23-year-old, who started for Ivory Coast in their opener against Ecuador, will be missing on Saturday when they come up against Germany in Toronto having been unsuccessful in obtaining the administrative authorisations to enter Canadian territory.
Ivory Coast’s Football Federation (FIF) said that he would remain in the United States while his team-mates fly out to Canada. The federation reconfirmed that they continue to stand behind the player despite reports of an investigation in France.
The Ivory Coast Football Federation added in a statement: “We have not received any formal notice from judicial or administrative authorities to date regarding these reports concerning the player.
Wahi is a key part of the national team.”Wahi is reportedly the subject of an ongoing investigation over alleged betting irregularities during a French Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz in May.
French officials confirmed that a 23-year-old player from Ligue 1 was detained “in connection with an investigation” including organized fraud, sports corruption, money laundering and receiving proceeds of a crime. The player has not been charged. Wahi had been able to travel to North America for the World Cup after being released from police custody.
Wahi’s absence is a major setback for Ivory Coast, who take on Germany in a significant group stage tie in Toronto, and the nation’s footballing body will ‘continue to closely follow all developments and remain at the side of the player.’
