Elye Wahi trains with Ivory Coast after Canada entry clearance

Ivorian striker Elye Wahi trained with his Ivory Coast teammates on Friday in Toronto after receiving permission to enter Canada the previous day for the FIFA World Cup match against Germany. The Ivorian soccer federation confirmed Wahi’s entry clearance on Thursday, reversing an earlier statement that he would miss the match due to border restrictions. Wahi participated in the squad’s workout at Centennial Park ahead of Saturday’s game at Toronto Stadium. Ivorian head coach Emerse Fae told reporters via an interpreter that Wahi “hasn’t really shown any signs of being annoyed or discouraged” and is “happy” with his arrival. Fae added that Wahi “had a good journey over here and he’s going to do everything he can to help out the team.” Midfielder Christ Inao Oulai described Wahi’s mood as positive, saying, “We have been laughing about it, but it's nothing big. He is in a good mood to play.” Oulai spoke via an interpreter during a news conference before the team’s late-afternoon practice. Wahi was not among the three players who gave interviews after training. An email request for Wahi to speak to the media was not answered by the team’s media officer. Taous Ait, a spokesperson for Canada’s immigration minister, declined to comment on Wahi’s case, citing privacy requirements for individuals involved in ongoing matters.

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The French soccer league reported “an unusual amount of bets” placed internationally on Wahi receiving a yellow card during a Ligue 1 match on May 17. The suspicious betting activity was detected during Nice’s 0-0 draw with Metz, where Wahi was shown a yellow card. The French league said it forwarded the information to police, gambling authorities, and the French soccer federation. The Marseille prosecutor’s office confirmed on May 29, 2026, that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 player was arrested as part of an investigation into “organized fraud, organized sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering.” Wahi was questioned while in police custody and released without detention. His representatives did not respond to requests for comment. The Ivorian soccer federation stated it has not been officially notified of any judicial or administrative proceedings involving Wahi. The federation said it “offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him,” calling Wahi “an important member of the Ivory Coast national team.” Wahi joined Nice on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in January and scored nine goals in 18 appearances across all competitions. He helped Nice reach the French Cup final and scored twice in the second leg of the promotion-relegation playoffs, a 4-1 win over Saint-Etienne, to secure top-flight status. Ivory Coast defeated Ecuador 1-0 last Sunday at Philadelphia Stadium. The team will face Curaçao there on Thursday in its final group-stage match. The Elephants are ranked No. 33 in the FIFA world rankings. Defender Wilfried Singo said via an interpreter, “We are very happy to be here. He was well received by us and the whole team was also well received in Canada. We are looking forward to a good result tomorrow.”