World Cup: Ivory Coast star Wahi denied Canadian visa ahead of clash with Germany
Forward Elye Wahi will miss Ivory Coast’s second World Cup match against Germany after he was denied a visa to enter Canada, the Ivorian federation said on Thursday.
Forward Elye Wahi will miss Ivory Coast’s second World Cup match against Germany after he was denied a visa to enter Canada, the Ivorian federation said 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.
The striker is the second World Cup player to be denied entry into Canada after Ghana’s Thomas Partey, who is facing rape charges in Britain.
Recall that Wahi, currently representing the Elephants at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was arrested by French police in May as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged spot-fixing activities.
According to a report by The Athletic, the 23-year-old forward is being investigated over claims that he deliberately sought to receive a yellow card during a French Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz on May 17.
Authorities are reportedly examining suspicious betting patterns linked to wagers placed on Wahi being booked during the encounter.
Spot-fixing involves manipulating a specific event within a sporting contest for betting purposes rather than influencing the final outcome.
Confirming the development, a spokesperson for 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.”
The report said Wahi was released after questioning and that investigations into the allegations are continuing.
On Wednesday, the Ligue de Football Professionnel, which oversees professional football in France, confirmed that it is also looking into the matter but noted that no disciplinary action has been taken at this stage.
In a 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 ongoing investigation, Wahi was included in the Ivory Coast’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He featured for 55 minutes in the Elephants’ 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Monday.
