Ivorian Striker Wahi Granted Entry to Canada Amid Match-Fixing Probe

Elye Wahi (23, OGC Nice), the Ivorian national team forward currently under investigation for alleged involvement in match-fixing at his club, will be eligible to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Germany in Canada.
The Ivorian Football Federation announced via social media today (June 19) that "administrative procedures regarding Wahi have progressed positively, and all necessary permits for his entry into Canada have been issued."
Just hours earlier, the federation had stated that "due to the delay in administrative permits required for entry into Canada, Wahi was scheduled to remain in the United States until the team's return."
Ivory Coast is set to face Germany in their second Group E match of the tournament at Toronto Stadium in Canada on June 21.
A spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) explained to Reuters regarding Wahi's entry permit that "in exceptional circumstances, a temporary resident permit may be issued to individuals who are otherwise inadmissible or do not meet the requirements for temporary stay."
However, the IRCC added that it cannot disclose specific details regarding individual applications without the consent of the person involved.
Wahi is currently participating in the North American World Cup as a member of the Ivorian national team.
He started in the first match against Ecuador, held at Philadelphia Stadium in Pennsylvania, U.S., on June 15, contributing to a 1-0 victory.
Early in the second half, his right-footed shot struck the crossbar.
It was later revealed on June 18, through a report by the U.S. sports media outlet The Athletic, that Wahi had been arrested and subsequently released by police in France on May 29 on suspicion of match-fixing during a Ligue 1 match.
The investigation centers on a match between OGC Nice and FC Metz held on May 17 (local time), which ended in a 0-0 draw. An abnormally high volume of bets was placed on Wahi receiving a yellow card, and he did, in fact, receive a booking during the game.
While the investigation is reportedly ongoing, the federation has expressed its confidence in Wahi.
The federation stated, "To date, we have not received any official notification regarding any legal or administrative proceedings involving Wahi," adding, "We offer our full support to the player during this particularly difficult time. Wahi remains an important member of the Ivorian national team."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.