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Elye Wahi will be on the pitch in Toronto after all. The Ivory Coast striker had his Canadian visa approved on June 18, just hours after being denied entry to the country, clearing the way for him to feature in the Elephants’ Group E clash against Germany on June 21.
The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed the denial that morning, citing issues with “necessary administrative authorizations.” By the afternoon, the situation had reversed entirely, and Wahi was given the green light to travel north from the team’s base in Philadelphia.
What caused the visa trouble
Wahi was arrested in France back in May 2026 as part of an investigation into alleged spot-fixing activities. No charges have been filed, yet the arrest alone was enough to trigger complications with Canadian immigration authorities.
The 23-year-old, who plays his club football for OGC Nice in Ligue 1, isn’t the first player at this tournament to run into visa issues tied to legal proceedings. Ghana’s Thomas Partey experienced similar complications related to separate legal matters.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the US, and Mexico, features a record 48 teams.
Wahi’s World Cup so far
Wahi started in Ivory Coast’s opening match against Ecuador, a tight 1-0 victory that gave the Elephants a critical foothold in Group E.
He only switched his international allegiance to represent Ivory Coast in March 2026, having previously been eligible for France. That decision came just two months before Fae named him to the World Cup squad on May 15.
With the clearance secured, Wahi is expected to travel from the team’s Philadelphia base to Toronto ahead of the Germany fixture.
What this means for Ivory Coast’s World Cup campaign
The spot-fixing investigation in France isn’t going away. Wahi hasn’t been charged, but the probe remains active. Games are spread across all three co-host nations, and each country maintains its own entry requirements.
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