Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi has been denied entry to Canada ahead of their World Cup game with Germany a day after it was revealed he is being investigated for alleged spot-fixing.
Wahi started for Ivory Coast in their World Cup opener as they beat Ecuador 1-0 in Philadelphia last Sunday.
However, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirmed on Thursday that he will not be available for their second game. Wahi is the subject of an “active investigation” by French police to determine whether he deliberately obtained a yellow card in Nice’s game against Metz in May.
Wahi was booked in the 35th minute of a 0-0 draw between Nice and Metz for a foul on Sadibou Sane.
A statement from the Marseille public prosecutor’s office, provided to The Athletic, confirmed that a “23-year-old football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1” was arrested on May 29. The player was released after interview.
Wahi was not named specifically in the statement. However, France’s Professional Football League (LFP) released a statement on Wednesday confirming ongoing proceedings connected to “an unusual volume of bets relating to a booking involving the player Elye Wahi.”
The former Marseille and Eintracht Frankfurt striker has not been charged with a crime and was permitted to enter the United States. He will remain at Ivory Coast’s base in Philadelphia, having become the second player to be denied entry to Canada.
Ghana’s Thomas Partey, who faces charges of seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault brought by the Metropolitan Police, was refused entry for their game with Panama.
“The Ivorian Football Federation has taken note of the various articles and information published on this Wednesday, June 17, 2026, concerning the Ivorian international Elye Wahi,” it said in a statement.
“To date, the FIF has not been officially notified of any judicial or administrative proceedings involving him.
“In this particularly delicate period, the FIF extends all its support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him. Elye Wahi remains an important element of the Ivory Coast national team.
“The FIF also informs that the player will not be able to join the delegation’s trip to Canada. Indeed, the necessary administrative authorisations for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this stage.
“Elye Wahi will therefore remain in the United States pending the team’s return.”
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