A significant blow was received by the Côte d'Ivoire national team in view of the confrontation with Germany over the World Cup 2026 group phase, as offensive Eli Wahi will not be able to travel to Canada after authorities refused to allow him to enter the country. Evolution is coming a few days after he was arrested in a search for possible race manipulation during his tenure in Nis.
Côte d'Ivoire's international striker had normally traveled to the United States for his participation in the World Cup and even played key in his team's victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia.
However, the Ivory Coast Football Federation confirmed that the footballer will not follow the mission on the trip to Canada for the next match of the event. This is the second similar case in the tournament, as it had preceded the refusal to enter Canada and the middle of Ghana Thomas Takey in view of the match with Panama.
🚨JUST IN: Ivory Coast player, Elye Wahi, was arrested by French anti-corruption police in May for alleged fixing offences…
Today he denied entry into Canada for his next World Cup game due to the arrest
He hasn’t been actually charged with anything. pic.twitter. com/8DoqhmcrAj— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) June 18, 2026
In an official announcement, the Federation reported:
"The Football Federation of Côte d'Ivoire took note of the various publications and information published on Wednesday 17 June 2026 about international footballer Ivorian Eli Wahi. To date, the Federation has received no official information on judicial or administrative proceedings concerning him.".
The announcement continued:
"In this particularly sensitive period, the Federation expresses its full support for the footballer and reaffirms its trust in his face. Eli Wahi remains an important member of the Côte d'Ivoire national team".
At the same time, the Federation confirmed that the player will not be able to travel to Canada:
"The Federation also informs that the footballer will not be able to follow the mission to Canada. Indeed, the administrative authorizations necessary for its entry into Canadian territory could not be secured at this stage.'.
According to the announcement, Wahi will remain in the United States until the national team's mission returns.
"Elli Wahi will therefore remain in the United States until the team's return. The Ivory Coast Football Federation will continue to closely monitor the situation and notify any useful official information.".
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La FIF aporte des précisions concertant Elye Wahi
La Fédération Ivoirienne de Football a pris connaissance des différents articles et informations publications dans la journalée de ce mercredi 17 juin 2026 concertant l’international ivoirien Elye Wahi.
? cejour, la... pic.twitter. com/4z2Ah22vHW— Équipe Nationale de Football Cote d’Ivoire 🇨🇮🐘 (@equipenatciv) June 18, 2026
Athletic reportedly, the footballer was arrested and then released after questioning by the French authorities in the context of an investigation into the incident. The case concerns whether Wahi deliberately accepted a yellow card during Nis' match with Mets on May 17.
He competed as a loan to Nis from Indracht Frankfurt
The striker competed in Nis as a loan from German Indracht Frankfurt from January, scoring nine goals and contributing decisively to the team's progress to the French Cup final.
Despite his absence, Côte d'Ivoire ideally began its obligations in the World Cup. The team won Ecuador thanks to goals in the delays by Manchester United footballer, Ahmad Diallo.
Next opponent for the "Elephants" is Germany in Toronto, in a 5th group match that may judge qualification in the knockout phase. The two teams know that one degree will likely be sufficient to ensure their presence in the next phase of the event.