Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has been barred from joining the national squad for the World Cup match against Germany in Canada, after the Ivorian soccer federation confirmed that it could not obtain the administrative authorisations required for his entry into the country.
The development comes as part of a broader probe into suspected match‑fixing and sports‑related corruption that has recently ensnared several Ligue 1 players, with authorities uncovering a web of suspicious betting patterns linked to a recent game.
Investigation deepens
French prosecutors in Marseille opened a case against Wahi on May 29, 2026, accusing him of organized fraud and illicit betting; he was briefly detained and then released while the inquiry continues.
Wahi, who joined Nice on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this season, has been a pivotal figure for the club, netting nine goals in 18 appearances and helping the team secure a place in the French Cup final.
The Ivory Coast Football Federation has publicly voiced its support for the player, insisting that he remains a key asset for the national side and that the federation will continue to cooperate fully with investigators.
The episode underscores the fragile intersection of sport, law and international travel, raising questions about how governing bodies will handle similar cases as the World Cup tournament approaches.
As the tournament draws nearer, the incident serves as a reminder that the stakes of elite football extend far beyond the pitch, intertwining with legal scrutiny and the integrity of competition.