Ivory Coast will be without forward Elye Wahi for their second FIFA World Cup fixture against Germany after Canadian authorities denied him a visa to enter the country.
The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed the development on Thursday, stating that the necessary administrative approvals for his entry into Canada had not been secured.
“The administrative authorisations necessary for his entry into Canadian territory have not been obtained at this stage,” the federation said in a statement, adding that Wahi would be unable to “travel with the delegation to Canada” for Saturday’s Group stage encounter in Toronto.
The setback makes Wahi the second player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be denied entry into Canada, following Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, who is currently facing rape charges in Britain.
The visa issue comes amid an ongoing investigation involving the 23-year-old striker.
Wahi was arrested by French police in May as part of an inquiry into alleged spot-fixing activities linked to a French Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz played on May 17.
According to reports, investigators are examining suspicious betting patterns connected to wagers placed on Wahi receiving a yellow card during the game.
Spot-fixing refers to the manipulation of a specific event within a sporting contest, typically for betting purposes, without necessarily influencing the final result.
Confirming the investigation, a spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office stated that the player was arrested on May 29 as part of an inquiry into allegations involving organised fraud, organised sports corruption, handling proceeds of crime and money laundering.
“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 spokesperson said.
Wahi was later released after questioning, while authorities continue their investigations.
On Wednesday, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), the governing body for professional football in France, confirmed that it is also monitoring the matter but has not initiated any disciplinary proceedings.
In a statement, the LFP said confidentiality requirements linked to the ongoing police investigation prevent further public comments at this stage.
However, the organisation reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of its competitions and reserved the right to take disciplinary action depending on the outcome of the investigations.
Despite the ongoing legal scrutiny, Wahi was included in Ivory Coast’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and featured for 55 minutes in the team’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Monday.
His absence now presents a significant challenge for the Elephants ahead of their crucial encounter against Germany in Toronto.
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