World Cup 2026: Ivory Coast’s Elye Wahi Secures Entry to Canada After Visa Denial
Ivory Coast international Elye Wahi has been granted permission to enter Canada for his national team’s World Cup group match against Germany on Saturday, following an earlier visa denial. The 23-year-old forward, who plays for Nice, was previously barred from entering the country due to legal complications stemming from an alleged involvement in spot-fixing.
Arrest and Allegations
Wahi was reportedly arrested last month in connection with an investigation into organized fraud and sports corruption within Ligue 1. He is accused of deliberately earning a yellow card during a match against Metz in May, a move that could have been intended to manipulate betting markets. Spot-fixing involves influencing match incidents to benefit betting outcomes.
The public prosecutor’s office in Marseille confirmed the arrest of a 23-year-old football player competing in France’s Ligue 1, although they did not specifically name Wahi in their statement. The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) later reported an “unusually high volume of bets” placed on incidents involving Wahi, raising further concerns about his conduct.
Visa Complications
Initially, the Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) indicated that they had not been informed of any judicial or administrative proceedings against Wahi, but noted that he had not received authorization to enter Canada. However, an update from FIF later confirmed that Wahi would be included in the traveling squad for their second Group E match.
Canadian authorities had delayed Wahi’s visa approval while seeking additional information regarding his legal situation. After reviewing the details, they ultimately granted him entry. FIF released a statement confirming that the necessary authorizations had been obtained, allowing Wahi to travel with his teammates.
Official Statements
A spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) emphasized that Canada’s immigration laws remain unchanged, even during major events like the World Cup. Each individual seeking entry is assessed based on their circumstances and legal standing. In exceptional cases, temporary resident permits may be issued to individuals who are otherwise inadmissible.
Following the match against Germany in Toronto, Ivory Coast will face Curacao in Philadelphia next Thursday.
Ongoing Investigations
The Marseille public prosecutor’s office stated that Wahi’s arrest was part of a broader investigation into allegations of organized fraud, sports corruption, and money laundering. After being interviewed in police custody, Wahi was released, but the investigation continues.
Wahi’s yellow card during the Metz match was his fifth of the season, resulting in a suspension for the first leg of Nice’s relegation playoff against Saint-Etienne on May 26. He returned for the second leg, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory that helped Nice retain their position in Ligue 1.
Context of Visa Denials
Wahi is the second World Cup player to face entry issues in Canada. Ghana’s Thomas Partey was denied a visa due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK. Partey has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including rape and sexual assault, and is scheduled to stand trial next year. His visa denial also stemmed from misrepresentations made to Canadian officials regarding his legal history.
The Ghanaian government had sought permission for Partey to enter Canada briefly for a match, but that request was rejected by a federal court in Ottawa.
As reported by www.bbc.com.
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Published on 2026-06-18 22:13:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk