AFCON 2025
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi will miss his country’s next 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Germany after being denied authorization to travel to Canada amid an ongoing investigation into alleged betting-related offences.
The Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) confirmed on Thursday that Wahi was unable to obtain the necessary administrative clearance required to enter Canada, where the Elephants are scheduled to face Germany in Toronto on Saturday.
“The necessary administrative authorizations for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this stage,” the federation said in a statement.
Wahi featured in Ivory Coast’s opening World Cup match on Monday, helping his side secure a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia. The 23-year-old forward will remain in the United States while the rest of the squad travels to Canada and will await the team’s return.
The development comes after French football authorities launched an investigation into suspicious betting activity linked to a Ligue 1 match involving Wahi. The French Professional Football League (LFP) revealed that monitoring partners detected an unusually high volume of international bets predicting that Wahi would receive a yellow card during Nice’s goalless draw against Metz on May 17.
Wahi was booked during the match, prompting concerns from betting integrity monitors. The LFP said it subsequently shared information with French police, gambling regulators, and the French Football Federation.
The Marseille prosecutor’s office confirmed that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 footballer was arrested on May 29 as part of an ongoing investigation. Authorities are examining allegations of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering.
According to prosecutors, the player was questioned while in police custody before being released without charges. The investigation remains ongoing.
Wahi’s representatives have not publicly commented on the matter.
Despite the controversy, the Ivory Coast Football Federation said it had not received official notification of any judicial or administrative proceedings involving the striker.
“During this particularly delicate period, the FIF offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him,” the federation stated. “Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team.”
Wahi enjoyed an impressive second half of the season after joining Nice on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in January. He scored nine goals in 18 appearances, helping the club reach the French Cup final and preserve its Ligue 1 status. He also scored twice in Nice’s 4-1 victory over Saint-Etienne in the promotion-relegation playoff second leg.
His absence will be a significant blow for Ivory Coast as they prepare for a crucial Group stage encounter against Germany.
