NEW DELHI: Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has been granted permission to travel to Canada for his country's World Cup match against Germany, despite an ongoing investigation in France into alleged betting-related offenses.
Initial Travel Concerns Resolved
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) had earlier stated that the 23-year-old would not be able to travel to Canada. However, on Thursday, the federation confirmed that the necessary permissions had been secured, allowing Wahi to join the team.
Wahi started in Ivory Coast's 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia on Monday. The Elephants are scheduled to face Germany on Saturday in Toronto in their second match of the tournament.
Immigration Authorities Remain Silent
Canada's immigration authorities did not provide details on the case. Taous Ait, a spokesperson for Canada's immigration minister, declined to comment, citing that authorization from the player was required.
Confirming the development, the federation stated: "The necessary authorisations for his entry into Canadian territory have now been obtained."
"As a result, the Ivorian international is authorised to travel with the Elephants' delegation to Canada and will continue his participation in the competition alongside his team-mates as normal. The FIFA welcomes this positive outcome and thanks the various parties who contributed to handling this matter," it added.
Background of the Investigation
Wahi is currently under investigation after French football authorities detected suspicious betting activity linked to a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz on May 17. The French league reported that an "unusual amount of bets" had been placed internationally on Wahi receiving a yellow card during the game. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, and Wahi was booked.
According to the league, monitoring partners alerted officials about the unusual betting patterns, and the information was passed on to police, gambling authorities, and the French Football Federation.
Arrest and Release
When asked if Wahi had been questioned by police, the Marseille prosecutor's office told The Associated Press that "a 23-year-old professional football player, competing in France's Ligue 1 championship, was arrested on May 29, 2026, as part of their investigation." The prosecutor's office added that "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 before being released without detention. Wahi's representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Federation's Support
The Ivorian federation stated that it had not been officially informed "of any judicial or administrative proceedings" involving the striker. The governing body added that it "offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him."
"Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team," it added.
Wahi's Recent Performance
Wahi joined Nice on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in January and enjoyed a productive spell, scoring nine goals in 18 appearances across all competitions and helping the club reach the French Cup final. After the French league season ended on May 17, he scored twice in Nice's 4-1 victory over Saint-Etienne in the second leg of the promotion-relegation playoff, helping the club retain its place in the top division.
