Investigation

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi granted Canadian visa hours after denial

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1 hour ago

June 19, 2026

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi granted Canadian visa hours after denial

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, who is currently under investigation over alleged betting-related offences, has been cleared to travel after being granted a visa to enter Canada for his country’s World Cup clash against Germany, the Ivorian Football Federation has confirmed.

The federation had earlier said the 23-year-old Wahi was not going to be able to travel to Canada, before issuing a new statement stating the necessary authorizations had now been obtained.

“The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) reports that Elye Wahi’s administrative situation has evolved favorably. The necessary authorisations for his entry into Canadian territory have now been obtained,” said a statement from the official X account of the Ivorian Football Federation on Thursday.

Wahi started in Monday’s 1-0 win over Ecuador in Philadelphia. The Elephants play Germany on Saturday in Toronto in their second match of the tournament.

The striker was linked to an investigation into suspected sport corruption, with French authorities saying unusual betting patterns were detected around a yellow card Wahi received in a Ligue 1 match while playing for Nice last month.

A spokesperson for the Marseille prosecutor’s office said a 23-year-old Ligue 1 player was taken into custody on May 29 as part of an investigation into suspected organised fraud, organised sport corruption, handling stolen goods and money laundering.

Wahi’s lawyer, Marie Dose, said earlier the player had been questioned “for a few hours” last month, but was subsequently released.

“Elye Wahi is therefore not facing charges at this stage and is not subject to any judicial restrictions,” she added.

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