Visa Hold Lifted: Ivory Coast Forward Wahi Cleared to Enter Canada for World Cup Match

Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi points during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Philadelphia, on June 14, 2026. AP Photo/Petr David Josek

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has received clearance to enter Canada for his nation’s World Cup match against Germany after a probe into alleged betting offences caused a hold-up in his visa process.

The Ivorian soccer federation announced on June 17 that Wahi would not be able to travel with the national team delegation to Canada because the “necessary administrative authorizations for his entry” had yet to be obtained.

But the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) released a new statement in the early morning hours of June 18 to announce the issue had been resolved.

“Elye Wahi’s administrative situation has evolved favorably,” according to a statement on the official X account of the Ivorian Football Federation. “The necessary authorizations for his entry into Canadian territory have now been obtained.”

A spokesperson for Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said in a media statement that temporary resident permits could be awarded under exceptional circumstances to individuals who are inadmissible or do not meet the criteria for temporary entry or stay in Canada. The representative declined to offer specifics about the case, citing a need for authorization from the individual involved.

Wahi’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the Ivorian Football Federation said in its statement that it “is delighted with this favourable outcome and thanks the various parties who contributed to handling this matter.”

Wahi was the second World Cup player to be denied a visa to enter Canada.

Thomas Partey, a Ghanaian national, has been deemed inadmissible by Canadian immigration authorities for failing to disclose ongoing criminal proceedings for sexual assault in the UK on his initial visa application.  

The visa refusal was upheld by the Canadian Federal Court in Ottawa following a dismissed emergency appeal from Partey’s legal team. 

Betting Investigation

Wahi is a 23-year-old striker for OGC Nice and the Ivory Coast national team. He was embroiled in betting allegations in France during a game last month while playing for Nice.

The French soccer league confirmed earlier this week there was an “unusual amount of bets” placed on Wahi being shown a yellow card during a Ligue 1 match on May 17 against Metz. The 23-year-old player was issued a yellow card in the 35th minute of the game.

The league said it passed the information about suspicious betting activity to police and gambling authorities after the game and the Marseille prosecutor’s office launched an investigation into organized fraud, sports corruption, and money laundering.

Wahi was arrested and questioned by anti-corruption officers in Marseille on May 29, following the conclusion of the club season. He was released after the questioning without any charges filed.

World Cup

Wahi made his FIFA debut in the Ivory Coast Elephants’ victory over Ecuador, which ended 1-0 on June 14 in Philadelphia. The Elephants are set to face Germany on June 20 in Toronto for their second match of the tournament.

The team is then slated to play Curaçao on June 25 in Philadelphia.

Ivory Coast currently ranks 33rd in the world based on global rankings leading up to the tournament.

Reuters and the Canadian Press contributed to this report.