Côte d’Ivoire have been dealt a major setback ahead of their crucial World Cup clash against Germany after forward Elye Wahi was denied a visa to enter Canada.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirmed on Thursday that the striker would be unable to travel with the team to Toronto for Saturday’s Group E encounter.
In a brief statement, the federation said the required travel authorisation for Wahi had not been granted, preventing him from joining the squad in Canada.
“The administrative authorisations necessary for his entry into Canadian territory have not been obtained at this stage,” the FIF stated.
The visa denial comes amid reports linking the 23-year-old to an ongoing investigation in France over alleged spot-fixing activities during a Ligue 1 match.
French authorities are reportedly examining suspicious betting patterns connected to a yellow card Wahi received while playing for Nice against Metz in May.
Although no charges have been filed against the player, the investigation has generated significant attention during the World Cup.
French prosecutors confirmed that a Ligue 1 footballer was questioned by police as part of a probe involving allegations of sporting corruption, organised fraud, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods.
The player was later released while investigations continued.
Despite the controversy, the Ivorian Football Federation expressed support for Wahi, describing him as a key member of the national team.
“He is an important element for the Côte d’Ivoire national team,” the federation said.
Born in France, Wahi switched international allegiance to Côte d’Ivoire earlier this year and featured in the country’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their opening World Cup match.
His absence against Germany could be a significant blow as the Elephants seek qualification to the knockout stages.
Interestingly, Wahi is the second player at the tournament to face visa-related issues after Ghana’s Thomas Partey was also denied entry into Canada.
Côte d’Ivoire will hope to overcome the setback and maintain their momentum when they face Germany this weekend.
Source: AFP / Ivorian Football Federation (FIF).
