Elye Wahi denied entry to Canada for World Cup match

Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi has been denied entry into Canada, forcing him to miss the upcoming 2026 World Cup group stage match against Germany, scheduled for June 20 in Toronto.

The administrative hurdle stems from an ongoing investigation in France. In May, the Nice striker was taken into custody for questioning regarding suspected match manipulation, specifically concerning a yellow card received during a league match against Metz on May 17.

While the player was released following the initial questioning and the Ivorian Football Federation maintains they have received no official notification of legal proceedings, Wahi was unable to secure the necessary clearance to enter Canadian territory.

Wahi, who featured in Ivory Coast’s opening 1-0 victory over Ecuador, will remain in the United States while his teammates travel to Toronto. His availability for the remainder of the tournament remains uncertain, though he is expected to be absent for the Germany fixture. The team is scheduled to conclude their group stage campaign against Curaçao in Philadelphia on June 25.