Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi arrested for alleged spot-fixing before World Cup
On May 29, 2026, French police arrested Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi, 23, on suspicion of deliberately earning a yellow card while playing for OGC Nice in a Ligue 1 match against Metz on May 17. Suspicious betting patterns triggered an investigation by the LFP and Marseille prosecutor’s office for organized fraud, sports corruption, and money laundering. Wahi was released without charge but remains under investigation. He subsequently traveled to the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup, starting in Ivory Coast’s opening win over Ecuador.
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Elye Wahi Finally Allowed into Canada to Play World Cup Match Against Germany
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has been granted entry into Canada to play in the World Cup match against Germany in Toronto, resolving a visa issue caused by an ongoing investigation into match-fixing allegations in France. The Ivorian Football Federation announced the favorable resolution, confirming Wahi can travel with the team. This comes after Wahi was initially banned from Canada due to Canadian immigration rules regarding the investigation. Coach Emerse Faé now has all players available for the crucial Group E match. Wahi previously started Ivory Coast's first World Cup match against Ecuador, a 1-0 victory. The article also notes a similar incident involving Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied entry into Canada due to a rape trial in Great Britain scheduled for 2027.
FútbolWorld Cup star Elye Wahi granted Canadian visa after spot-fixing arrest U-turn
Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi was arrested in France on suspicion of spot-fixing two weeks before the 2026 World Cup, related to an alleged deliberate yellow card during a match for Nice. Canadian authorities initially denied him entry, jeopardizing his participation in a crucial group stage match against Germany in Toronto. However, after no formal charges were filed, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada granted a Temporary Resident Permit, allowing Wahi to play. He started in Ivory Coast's 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their opener. Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was also refused entry into Canada, missing a match against Panama. The article highlights the intersection of immigration law, criminal investigation, and international sports.
Mirror - FootballMarseille Prosecutor's Office Helps Ivory Coast Striker Elye Wahi Travel to Canada After Visa Issue
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi was initially blocked from traveling to Canada for a friendly match against Germany due to an ongoing investigation into a suspected deliberate yellow card during a Ligue 1 match. Canadian authorities requested additional information about his legal status, leading the Ivorian Federation to consider leaving him in the United States. However, Wahi's lawyer, Marie Dosé, contacted the Marseille prosecutor's office, and deputy prosecutor Jean-Yves Lourgouilloux confirmed that Wahi is not charged or under any travel restrictions. This letter was forwarded to Canadian authorities, who then allowed Wahi to enter Canada. The team departed on Thursday afternoon, and Wahi is expected to play against Germany to move past the controversy.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuIvory Coast Striker Elye Wahi Denied Canada Entry for World Cup Match Amid Betting Investigation
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has been denied entry to Canada for his team's FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Germany due to visa clearance issues linked to an ongoing French investigation into suspected betting irregularities and corruption. The French league flagged an unusual amount of international bets placed on Wahi receiving a yellow card during a Ligue 1 match in May 2026. Wahi was arrested on May 29, 2026, questioned, and released without charge. He denies wrongdoing and remains part of the Ivory Coast squad. The Ivorian federation stated it has not been officially notified of any proceedings and reaffirmed its support for the player. Wahi started in Ivory Coast's opening win over Ecuador and will remain in the U.S. pending the team's return.
Yardbarker: SoccerIvory Coast's Elye Wahi Allowed Entry to Canada for World Cup Match Against Germany
In a dramatic twist, Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi (23), who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt, has been granted permission to enter Canada and will be available for the World Cup match against Germany in Toronto. Wahi was initially denied entry due to allegations of match manipulation, including suspicion of organized fraud, corruption in sports, and money laundering. He was briefly arrested in France in May after unusual betting activity was detected on him receiving a yellow card in a Ligue 1 match. The Ivorian football association announced on June 18 that Wahi's administrative situation had improved and he now has the required permits to travel with the team. The Marseille public prosecutor's office confirmed his release after interrogation, with investigations ongoing. Wahi started in Ivory Coast's previous 1-0 win against Ecuador.
BILD - SportCanada Allows Ivorian Player Elye Wahi to Enter for World Cup Match Against Germany
The Ivory Coast national football team has confirmed that striker Elye Wahi, 23, has received the necessary approvals to enter Canada and will be available for their World Cup match against Germany on Saturday in Toronto. This marks a turnaround after Wahi was initially denied entry, reportedly due to an ongoing investigation in France. Before the World Cup, Wahi was taken into police custody in Marseille on suspicion of organized fraud, corruption in sport, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering, linked to a May 17 Ligue 1 match where he allegedly deliberately received a yellow card. Unusual betting activity on that card was reported. Wahi was released after questioning but remains under investigation. The Ivorian association stated it is not aware of any judicial proceedings against him. Wahi, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt and was on loan at OGC Nice, had already traveled to the USA with the team and started in a 1-0 win against Ecuador.
Nachrichten - WELTElye Wahi Authorized to Travel to Canada for World Cup Qualifier Against Germany
The Ivory Coast Football Federation announced on Thursday that forward Elye Wahi has been granted authorization to travel to Canada and will be available for the national team's 2026 World Cup qualifier against Germany on Saturday. The 23-year-old Nice player, a key figure for coach Emerse Faé, had been under investigation in a match-fixing case after Ligue 1 detected an unusual volume of international bets placed on him receiving a yellow card during a match between Nice and Metz in May. The federation expressed satisfaction with the favorable resolution of his administrative situation and thanked all parties involved. Wahi will now travel with the Elephants' delegation to Canada and continue his participation in the competition normally.
RecordIvory Coast Footballer Elie Wahi Granted Entry Permit to Canada for World Cup
The Ivory Coast Football Federation has announced that administrative procedures for national team player Elie Wahi have been successfully completed, granting him the necessary permits to enter Canada. This allows Wahi to travel with the team and continue participating in the ongoing tournament alongside his teammates. The federation expressed satisfaction with the positive outcome and thanked all parties involved in resolving the matter. The announcement was made via the national team's official channels on June 18, as reported by Hupu Football News.
虎扑 - 足球Elye Wahi Granted Travel Authorization to Canada for Germany-Ivory Coast Match
Ivorian striker Elye Wahi, who plays for Nice, was initially barred from traveling to Toronto for a World Cup Group E match against Germany due to missing Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). However, he received the required document in time to depart from Philadelphia with his teammates at 5:00 p.m. local time. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 10:00 p.m. Earlier, the Ivorian Federation had warned that Wahi lacked the travel document. The travel issue is linked to an ongoing investigation: Wahi is suspected of match-fixing, specifically deliberately receiving a yellow card during a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz, as reported by The Athletic.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuElye Wahi Cleared to Enter Canada for 2026 World Cup Match Against Germany
Ivorian striker Elye Wahi has been granted entry to Canada after initially being denied due to a suspicious sports betting case in France. Canadian authorities approved his travel following a document from the Marseille public prosecutor's office confirming that Wahi is not under investigation or prosecution in the betting case surrounding a yellow card he received during a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz. His lawyer, Marie Dosé, stated he faces no judicial constraints. Wahi, who changed his sporting nationality from France to Ivory Coast, was a starter in Ivory Coast's 1-0 victory over Ecuador in the first matchday. He will now be available for the Group E clash against Germany on Saturday in Toronto, where Ivory Coast seeks to build on their win while Germany crushed Curaçao 7-1.
Home Football - actualitésElie Wahi Granted Entry to Canada, Eligible for Ivory Coast's Second World Cup Match
According to RMC Sport, Canadian authorities have approved an entry permit for footballer Elie Wahi, allowing him to join the Ivory Coast national team for their second group match in the ongoing World Cup. The approval came after the Marseille Prosecutor's Office provided documents clarifying that Wahi has not been investigated and faces no charges in the sports betting case involving the Nice-Metz match. This resolves a previous entry issue, enabling Wahi to travel to Canada and participate in the tournament.
虎扑 - 足球Elye Wahi Finally Allowed to Travel to Canada for World Cup
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, called up for the 2026 World Cup, was initially stuck in the United States due to an administrative problem linked to an investigation into suspected sports betting on the Nice-Metz match. Canadian authorities refused him a visa, preventing him from joining his teammates. However, a new twist occurred when Canadian authorities approved his entry after receiving a document from the Marseille prosecutor's office stating that Wahi is not under investigation and faces no prosecution in the case. Wahi can now travel to Canada to join the Ivory Coast national team and focus on the World Cup, including their match against Germany.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot Transfert2026 World Cup: Last-Minute Hope for Elye Wahi to Enter Canada After Betting Scandal
Ivorian international striker Elye Wahi faces a potential ban from entering Canada for the 2026 World Cup match against Germany due to suspected illegal betting. Canadian authorities requested additional information regarding a suspicious yellow card Wahi received during a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz, linked to unusual betting volumes. The Ivorian Federation initially decided not to travel with Wahi to avoid border issues. However, the Marseille prosecutor's office confirmed that Wahi is not under investigation or prosecution, and this document was sent to Canadian immigration services. The Federation awaits a response to allow Wahi to fly from Philadelphia to Toronto. Wahi started in Ivory Coast's first World Cup win against Ecuador, making his potential absence a significant blow.
Home Football - actualités2026 World Cup: Elye Wahi Banned from Entering Canada for Ivory Coast Match
Elye Wahi, a starter for Ivory Coast in their opening 2026 World Cup victory against Ecuador, has been denied entry into Canada and will miss the team's second match against Germany. The Ivorian Football Federation stated that administrative authorizations for his entry could not be obtained. The denial is linked to a May incident where Wahi was taken into custody on suspicion of deliberately taking a yellow card during a Nice-Metz match in connection with suspicious sports betting; he was released without charges. Wahi reportedly does not understand the refusal, as no reason was provided by Canadian immigration services. The article highlights the intersection of a sports betting investigation and international travel restrictions affecting a World Cup player.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertCanada Denies Entry to Ivorian Striker Elye Wahi Amid Match-Fixing Investigation
Canadian immigration authorities have prevented Ivory Coast national team striker Elye Wahi from entering the country to play in his team's World Cup match against Germany in Toronto on Saturday. The decision comes after it was revealed that Wahi is under investigation in France for possible match-fixing, specifically for allegedly deliberately receiving a yellow card in a match between Nice and Metz on May 17. The Ivorian Football Federation stated that the necessary administrative authorizations for entry have not been obtained, and Wahi will remain in the U.S., where the team has its base camp. Wahi, 23, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt and was on loan at Nice, was reportedly arrested in France about 10 days before the World Cup and released after interrogation. He becomes the second footballer denied entry by Canada, following Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, who faces rape and sexual assault charges.
Fútbol2026 World Cup: Ivory Coast Striker Elye Wahi Banned from Entering Canada for Germany Match
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, 23, will miss the team's second 2026 World Cup match against Germany on Saturday due to a ban from entering Canada. The ban stems from an investigation into suspicious sports betting related to a yellow card he received while playing for OGC Nice in Ligue 1. Wahi was questioned by police in late May but has not been formally charged or placed under investigation, according to the Marseille public prosecutor's office. The Ivorian Football Federation stated that necessary administrative authorizations for his entry into Canada could not be obtained, but provided no further explanation. Wahi, who started Ivory Coast's opening World Cup win against Ecuador, denies any link between the betting case and the travel ban and is seeking clearer answers from Canadian authorities.
Home Football - actualitésIvory Coast's Elye Wahi Denied Entry to Canada After Arrest for Match-Fixing Allegations
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has been denied entry to Canada for his country's World Cup group match against Germany, following his arrest on suspicion of match-fixing offences. The Athletic exclusively reported on June 17 that Wahi, 23, was arrested by French police on May 29 for allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card while playing for Nice against Metz on May 17. He has not been charged. The Ivory Coast Football Federation confirmed Wahi will remain in the United States while the team travels to Toronto. The investigation involves organized fraud, sports corruption, and money laundering. Wahi is the second player denied entry to Canada for the 2026 World Cup, after Ghana's Thomas Partey was barred due to sexual assault charges.
Soccer - The AthleticElye Wahi Allowed into Canada After Visa Denial Amid Fixing Investigation
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, who was arrested in France on suspicion of spot-fixing offences less than two weeks before the 2026 World Cup, has been allowed entry into Canada for his team's second group match after an initial visa denial. The Athletic revealed that Wahi is under investigation for allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card while playing for Nice. The Ivory Coast Football Federation first stated Wahi could not enter Canada, then hours later reversed course. Canadian immigration authorities issued a Temporary Resident Permit under exceptional circumstances. Wahi had started Ivory Coast's opener against Ecuador. He has not been charged with any crime. The article also notes that Ghana's Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada for similar legal reasons.
Soccer - The AthleticElye Wahi, Ivory Coast striker accused of match-fixing, granted Canada entry after visa denial reversal
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, accused of match-fixing, was initially denied entry to Canada for the World Cup but later allowed in after a visa U-turn. The Athletic exclusively revealed Wahi's arrest on suspicion of fixing offences related to an allegedly deliberate yellow card while playing for Nice. Canadian immigration authorities initially blocked his entry, but granted a Temporary Resident Permit under exceptional circumstances. Wahi had started Ivory Coast's opening match against Ecuador. The investigation, led by the Marseille public prosecutor, involves allegations of organized fraud, sports corruption, and money laundering. French league authorities confirmed unusual betting patterns. Wahi has not been charged. The case echoes Ghana's Thomas Partey, denied entry over sexual assault charges.
Soccer - The AthleticIvory Coast Striker Elye Wahi Denied Entry to Canada for World Cup Match Against Germany
Ivory Coast will face Germany in the World Cup on Saturday without key striker Elye Wahi, who was denied entry into Canada due to an ongoing legal investigation in France. The Ivory Coast Football Federation announced that Wahi could not obtain the necessary administrative approvals for travel. Wahi is under investigation for suspected match manipulation after an unusually high number of international bets were placed on him receiving a yellow card during a Ligue 1 match in May. The French league flagged the suspicious betting activity to authorities. The Marseille prosecutor's office confirmed the investigation involves alleged organized fraud, sports corruption, and money laundering. Wahi was arrested on May 29 but released without pre-trial detention. He remains under contract with Eintracht Frankfurt but is on loan at Nice. The Ivorian federation expressed full support for the player.
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