Elye Wahi will not feature for Ivory Coast in their second 2026 FIFA World Cup clash against Germany after Canadian authorities refused to grant him a visa, the country’s football federation confirmed on Thursday.
“The administrative authorisations necessary for his entry into Canadian territory have not been obtained at this stage,” the Ivorian federation said, adding that he would not be able to “travel with the delegation to Canada” for Saturday’s match in Toronto.
His absence makes him the second player at the tournament to be blocked from entering Canada, after Ghana’s Thomas Partey, who is currently facing rape charges in Britain.
Wahi, who is part of Ivory Coast’s World Cup squad, has been under scrutiny in France over allegations linked to match manipulation.
In May, he was arrested by French police as part of an investigation into suspected spot-fixing in Ligue 1.
The Athletic reported that the 23-year-old striker is suspected of deliberately attempting to pick up a booking during a league fixture between Nice and Metz on May 17, with investigators examining irregular betting patterns tied to wagers on him receiving a yellow card.
Spot-fixing refers to influencing a specific event within a match for betting advantage, rather than altering the overall result.
A representative of the Marseille public prosecutor’s office told The Athletic on Tuesday, “We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1, was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office into allegations of organised fraud, organised sports corruption, handling of proceeds of crime and money laundering.
“He was released after he was interviewed in police custody. The investigations remain ongoing. The football player is not a member of the French selection taking part in the World Cup.”
Authorities later clarified that he was released after questioning, with the investigation still active.
Meanwhile, the Ligue de Football Professionnel, which governs professional football in France, said it has begun reviewing the matter but has not opened any disciplinary case for now.
In its statement, the LFP said, “At this stage, and in view of the ongoing proceedings and the associated confidentiality requirements imposed on it by the police authorities, the LFP will not make any further comment and has not initiated any disciplinary proceedings. It reserves the right, however, to do so depending on how the investigations progress.
“The LFP reiterates that it remains fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of its competitions and that it will take the strongest possible action against any behaviour likely to compromise it.”
Despite the controversy, Wahi was still included in Ivory Coast’s final World Cup squad and featured for 55 minutes in their 1-0 victory over Ecuador earlier in the tournament.
