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Canada approve Wahi’s travel for World Cup match, Ivory Coast confirm

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, under investigation for alleged betting offenses, has been cleared to travel to Canada for a World Cup match.
  • The Ivorian football federation confirmed that necessary authorizations were secured after initially indicating he could not travel.
  • Wahi was arrested in May as part of an investigation into alleged spot-fixing, with French police looking into organized fraud and corruption.

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, who faces an investigation into alleged betting-related offenses, has been granted permission to travel to Canada for his country's World Cup fixture against Germany. The Ivorian football federation confirmed that the required authorizations were secured, reversing an earlier indication that the player would be unable to travel.

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.

— Marseille prosecutor’s officeThe prosecutor's office confirmed the arrest of a player matching Wahi's description as part of their investigation.

Wahi, 23, was arrested in May as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged spot-fixing activities. French police are reportedly investigating organized fraud, organized sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering. The French soccer league alerted authorities after an "unusual amount of bets" were placed internationally on Wahi receiving a yellow card during a May 17 match while playing for OGC Nice.

the investigation concerns alleged offences of organised fraud, organised sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering.

— Marseille prosecutor’s officeThe prosecutor's office detailed the nature of the investigation.

The Ivorian football federation stated it has not been formally informed of any judicial or administrative proceedings against Wahi and expressed its full support and confidence in the player. The federation emphasized that Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team. Wahi joined OGC Nice on loan in January and has scored nine goals in 18 appearances, helping the club reach the French Cup final.

Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team.

— Ivorian football federationThe federation reaffirmed Wahi's status within the national team despite the ongoing investigation.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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