Elye Wahi cleared to enter Canada, will play for Ivory Coast against Germany despite Marseille probe
Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi has been granted permission to enter Canada and is expected to play against Germany at the 2026 World Cup after authorities approved his travel despite an ongoing probe.
Elye Wahi will travel to Canada and is set to feature in Ivory Coast’s World Cup fixture against Germany, the Ivorian Football Federation announced after saying the necessary entry approvals had been secured. The decision ends uncertainty over Wahi’s participation following reporting that he had been briefly detained in France in late May as part of a judicial investigation. The federation thanked those involved in resolving the matter and said the player would join the squad as planned.
Wahi Granted Entry and Set to Play Against Germany
The Ivorian Football Federation said late Thursday that Canadian immigration authorities had now issued the required permissions for Elye Wahi to enter the country. The statement confirmed that Wahi will be available for Ivory Coast’s second group match at the tournament, ending a period of doubt about his status with the national team.
Tournament organizers and broadcasters are preparing for the match, and the federation said Wahi would travel to the host city to rejoin teammates ahead of kickoff. Officials did not provide details about the timing of travel or any conditions attached to the permission.
Detention Confirmed by Marseille Prosecutor
French prosecutors in Marseille confirmed to news agencies that a 23‑year‑old professional footballer was detained on May 29 in connection with a wider investigation. The prosecutor’s office said the arrest was linked to suspected organized fraud, corruption in sport, handling of stolen goods and money laundering.
Authorities said the player was questioned and released pending further inquiry, and they did not name him in the public statement. The prosecutor’s announcement followed initial reporting by The Athletic that identified the individual as Elye Wahi and linked the case to alleged irregularities in a Ligue 1 match earlier in May.
Alleged Incident from May 17 Ligue 1 Match
Reports cited by investigators focus on a Ligue 1 fixture played on May 17 in which Wahi participated against FC Metz. Prosecutors and league officials were alerted after betting authorities detected unusual wagering patterns tied to the possibility of a specific disciplinary action occurring during the game.
Investigators say bookmakers reported an atypical volume of bets on Wahi receiving a yellow card in that match, prompting the French league to notify judicial authorities. The nature of the inquiry remains criminal in scope, and investigators have not publicly confirmed conclusions about intent or wrongdoing.
French League Flagged Unusual Betting Activity
The French professional league said it had received alerts from international betting monitors about the May 17 fixture and passed those concerns to the public prosecutor’s office. Sporting competitions are subject to integrity checks, and leagues routinely report suspicious betting movements to law enforcement for criminal follow‑up.
Officials have emphasized that unusual betting patterns do not equate to proven manipulation, and the league’s referral initiated a judicial process that is ongoing. Both the league and French authorities have said they will continue their investigations while preserving procedural safeguards for those involved.
Ivory Coast Federation Says No Formal Charges
The Ivorian Football Federation stated it had taken note of press reports and articles concerning Elye Wahi but that, to date, it had no formal notification of judicial or administrative procedures against the player. The federation described the resolution of the travel issue as a positive outcome and expressed gratitude to parties who assisted in clarifying his status.
Federation representatives declined to comment on intermittent press accounts and stressed their obligation to respect legal processes. They added that Wahi would be expected to comply with any requests from investigators and that the team’s preparations would continue without prejudice.
Uncertainty Around Canadian Entry Decision and Next Steps
It remains unclear whether Canada’s initial hesitation to approve an entry permit was connected to the French probe or to other administrative considerations, as Canadian authorities have not publicly explained the rationale. The federation’s statement merely confirmed that the required permissions are now in place and did not attribute the reversal to any specific intervention.
Legal proceedings in France can take time, and investigators may seek further evidence or interviews as the case unfolds. Sporting bodies, including FIFA and continental confederations, may also review integrity rules and could open parallel disciplinary or regulatory inquiries depending on the outcome of the criminal investigation.
The team’s immediate priority will be sporting preparation, and Ivory Coast’s coaching staff has indicated the squad will move forward with the players available for selection. Observers and officials will be watching both the match in Canada and the progress of the legal inquiry to determine whether further action is necessary.
Elye Wahi’s availability for the game brings closure to a short period of uncertainty, but the ongoing investigation in Marseille means questions about the alleged incidents in May will persist until authorities release further findings.
