Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has been denied entry to Canada ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage clash against Germany in Toronto. The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed the forward could not obtain the required administrative authorisations and will remain in the United States amid ongoing controversy surrounding alleged Ligue 1 betting investigations.
Ivory Coast has suffered a significant setback ahead of its crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage encounter against Germany after striker Elye Wahi was denied entry into Canada, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirmed on Thursday.
The 23-year-old forward, who currently plays for French club Nice, will miss Saturday’s Group-stage match in Toronto after failing to obtain the necessary administrative authorisations required to enter Canadian territory. As a result, Wahi will remain in the United States while his teammates travel to Canada for the high-profile fixture.
Wahi had already played an important role in Ivory Coast’s World Cup campaign, featuring in the team’s opening victory over Ecuador. His absence against Germany is expected to affect the African side’s attacking options as they prepare to face one of the tournament’s strongest contenders.
The announcement comes at a sensitive time for the player, who has recently been linked by French media reports to an investigation involving alleged spot-fixing in Ligue 1. The allegations center around Nice’s league match against Metz in May, where Wahi is accused of deliberately receiving a yellow card.
French prosecutors have confirmed that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 footballer was arrested as part of the ongoing investigation. However, authorities have not officially identified the player involved. Meanwhile, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) stated that it had been alerted to unusually high betting activity concerning a booking involving Wahi during the match in question.
Despite the reports, the Federation Ivoirienne de Football emphasized that it has not received any official notification regarding judicial or administrative proceedings involving the player.
In an official statement, the federation said it had taken note of media reports concerning the Ivorian international but stressed that no formal communication had been received from legal authorities.
The governing body also reaffirmed its confidence in the striker and expressed its support during what it described as a delicate period.
The federation stated that Elye Wahi remains an important member of the national team and continues to enjoy the full backing of the country’s football authorities. It further clarified that the player’s absence from the trip to Canada was solely due to the inability to secure the required administrative documents for entry.
According to the statement, Wahi will remain in the United States until the team’s return from Canada, after which he may rejoin the squad for subsequent matches depending on travel arrangements and eligibility requirements.
The incident marks the second case in recent days involving a World Cup participant encountering entry-related difficulties with Canada. Earlier, Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was reportedly denied entry for his country’s opening Group-stage match against Panama, leading to diplomatic concerns and a formal protest from the Ghanaian government.
For Ivory Coast, the focus now shifts to Saturday’s showdown against Germany in Toronto. The match is expected to play a crucial role in determining the standings within the group. Following the fixture, the Elephants will return to the United States, where they are scheduled to face Curacao in Philadelphia in their next Group-stage encounter.
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As questions continue to surround Wahi’s travel situation and the broader investigation in France, Ivory Coast will hope to maintain its positive start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the absence of one of its key attacking players.
