The Ivorian soccer federation announced on Thursday that Elye Wahi, an Ivory Coast striker under investigation for possible match-fixing, has not been given permission to travel to Canada for his team’s next World Cup match against Germany.
Ivory Coast will play Germany in Toronto on Saturday.
Wahi will not be able to travel with the team, according to the federation, since “the necessary administrative authorizations for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this stage.”
The Elephants defeated Ecuador 1-0 in their first game on Monday in Philadelphia, with Wahi starting in attack. According to the federation, he will stay in the US until the squad return.
Wahi Barred Due To Alleged Match-Fixing
The French Football league reported on Wednesday an “unusual amount of bets” were made globally on Wahi getting a yellow card during a Ligue 1 match against Nice in May.
Partners keeping an eye on betting markets notified the governing body of suspicious betting activity in Nice’s 0-0 home match against Metz on May 17, in which Wahi received a yellow card.
According to the French league, it forwarded this information to the French Football Federation and the police and gambling authorities.
The Marseille prosecutor’s office told the Associated Press that “a 23-year-old professional football player, competing in French Ligue 1 was arrested on May 29, 2026. when asked if Wahi had been questioned by authorities.
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The office added “the investigation concerns alleged offenses of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering.” The player was questioned while in police custody and was released without being detained. The office added the investigation was ongoing.
According to the Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF), Wahi has not been formally informed “of any judicial or administrative proceedings.”
“During this particularly delicate period, the FIF offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him,” it said. “Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team.”
