Ivory Coast’s strong start to the World Cup has been interrupted by a serious off-field problem involving striker Elye Wahi.
The forward played in the opener in the United States.
He will not be able to follow the squad into Canada for the next one.
Elye Wahi denied entry to Canada before Germany clash
The update confirmed that Wahi had been denied entry to Canada before Ivory Coast’s second Group E match against Germany in Toronto on Saturday.
“Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has been denied entry to Canada for his country’s second World Cup group game against Germany on Saturday… Ivory Coast plays its second game of the tournament in Toronto on Saturday, but the Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) confirmed in a statement that Wahi had not been permitted entry to Canada. He will remain in the United States, and the FIF said it would ‘continue to monitor the situation carefully.’”
The Athletic previously reported that Wahi had been arrested by French police on May 29, less than two weeks before the World Cup, on suspicion of fixing-related offenses. He has not been charged with any crime.
The investigation centers on whether Wahi deliberately received a yellow card while playing for Nice against Metz on May 17, after suspicious betting activity was flagged around that booking. French authorities are reportedly examining possible organized fraud, sports corruption, handling proceeds of crime and money laundering.
Elye Wahi’s World Cup role is now under pressure
The timing makes the story even more damaging for Wahi. This is his first senior tournament with the Ivory Coast after representing France at the youth level and switching allegiance earlier this year.
He was named in Emerse Fae’s squad in May, then started Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win over Ecuador in Philadelphia, playing 56 minutes and striking the woodwork before Amad Diallo scored the late winner.
Now his tournament is uncertain. He is set to miss Germany in Toronto, and while remaining in the United States could leave the door open for later involvement, every selection decision will come with the investigation hanging over it.
This is also not the first time Wahi has faced scrutiny off the field. Earlier in his career, he was expelled from Caen’s youth setup after an alleged school incident, which he later disputed in an interview. In 2021, a woman filed a complaint accusing him of violence outside a nightclub, an allegation his entourage denied at the time.
None of that changes the key legal point now: Wahi has not been charged in the current fixing case. But Canada’s refusal means the allegations have already affected his World Cup, and the Ivory Coast must prepare for Germany without one of their attacking options.
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