In a dramatic turn of events at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has ultimately been granted authorization to enter Canada. The clearance comes just hours after the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) sent shockwaves through the tournament by announcing he had been denied entry ahead of their crucial Group E clash against Germany.
The administrative scare erupted against the backdrop of an active French criminal investigation into alleged spot-fixing.
Chronology of the Visa Crisis
- The Trigger: French soccer authorities flagged an “unusually high volume” of international bets placed specifically on Wahi to receive a yellow card during Nice’s Ligue 1 match against Metz on May 17. Wahi was booked in the 35th minute of that game.
- The Legal Cloud: The Marseille public prosecutor’s office confirmed an open investigation involving “organized fraud, organized sports corruption, and money laundering”. Wahi was taken into police custody on May 29 for questioning but was subsequently released without charge and has not been formally named a suspect.
- The Border Rejection: On Thursday morning, the FIF announced that Wahi would have to remain at the team’s U.S. base in Philadelphia because Canadian authorities had withheld his entry clearance.
- The Bureaucratic U-Turn: Following intense, fast-tracked deliberations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) resolved the issue, prompting a late-night reversal from the Ivorian FA.
“The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) reports that Elye Wahi’s administrative situation has evolved favorably. The necessary authorizations for his entry into Canadian territory have now been obtained.”
— Official Statement from the FIF
Crucial Group E Boost
While Canada maintains rigid borders—having notably barred Ghana’s Thomas Partey earlier in the week due to his own pending legal issues—it is believed Wahi may have received a Temporary Resident Permit under exceptional circumstances to compete.
This resolution is an immense relief for manager Emerse Fae. Wahi started and played 56 minutes up front during Ivory Coast’s opening 1-0 win over Ecuador. With powerhouse Germany coming off a staggering 7-1 blowout against Curaçao, having their premier 23-year-old forward available in Toronto is exactly the boost Les Éléphants need to contest the top spot in Group E.
