Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi will not be able to travel to Canada for his team's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Germany on June 21, as his authorization to visit the country has not yet been obtained, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced on Thursday.
The announcement comes just a day after Wahi was linked to an investigation into alleged sports corruption. French authorities have detected unusual betting patterns surrounding a yellow card the striker received while playing for Nice in Ligue 1 last month.
Wahi, though not named as a suspect, was not available for comment. A spokesperson from the Marseille prosecutor's office told Reuters that the Ligue 1 player was taken into custody on May 29 for an investigation into suspected organized fraud, organized sports corruption, handling stolen goods, and money laundering.
FIF Expresses Confidence in Player
FIF has shown full confidence in Wahi, stating that it has not been officially notified of any legal or administrative proceedings concerning him. The federation also emphasized that Wahi remains an important part of the Ivory Coast national team.
Until the team returns to Philadelphia for their final group stage match against Curacao, Wahi will stay in the United States, where the team's base camp is located in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Official Statement from FIF
"The player will not be able to join the delegation's trip to Canada. This is because the administrative authorizations required for him to enter Canadian territory have not yet been obtained. Elye Wahi will therefore remain in the United States until the team returns," said FIF.
Background on Wahi
Wahi has represented France at the under-21 level and made his senior debut for Ivory Coast in March. Ivory Coast began their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador, while Curacao faces a tough challenge after a 1-7 loss to four-time champions Germany.
