Wahi trains with Ivory Coast in Toronto after travel clearance

Elye Wahi worked out with Ivory Coast on Friday in Toronto after receiving authorization to enter Canada for Saturday’s World Cup match against Germany, a day after the Ivorian federation said he couldn’t cross the border from the United States. The 23-year-ol

TORONTO — Elye Wahi put on the training top with Ivory Coast on Friday at Centennial Park, after getting the green light to enter Canada a day earlier for Saturday’s World Cup match against Germany.

The timing mattered. The Ivorian soccer federation had said earlier in the week that the 23-year-old would not be able to cross the border from the United States before issuing a statement on Thursday saying the necessary authorizations had been obtained.

In Toronto. Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae sounded relieved that the situation had not spilled into the squad’s mood. Speaking at a news conference with an interpreter. he said Wahi “hasn’t really shown any signs of being annoyed or being discouraged. ” adding that the striker was “happy. ” had “a good journey over here. ” and would “do everything he can to help out the team.”.

Asked about Wahi’s mindset after the events of the week, Fae pointed the question back toward the player.

Wahi’s availability, though, was limited. He did not take part in the three-player interviews conducted before Ivory Coast’s late-afternoon practice at the west-end pitch. An email sent to the team’s media officer requesting that Wahi be made available was not returned.

Midfielder Christ Inao Oulai, speaking through an interpreter, offered a simpler read of what he’d seen inside the group. “We have been laughing about it, but it’s nothing big,” he said. “He is in a good mood to play.”

There was no official comment from Canada’s side. Taous Ait, a spokesperson for Canada’s immigration minister, declined to comment on the case, citing the need for authorization from the individual involved.

The investigation that has drawn attention to Wahi began long before the Toronto training session. The French soccer league said Wednesday that an “unusual amount of bets” were placed internationally on Wahi receiving a yellow card during a game on May 17 while he was playing for Nice.

The league said it was alerted by partners monitoring betting markets about suspicious betting activity connected to Nice’s home game against Metz. which finished 0-0 and ended with Wahi shown a yellow card. The French league said it passed the information to police and gambling authorities, as well as the French soccer federation.

When the question turned to whether Wahi was questioned by police. the Marseille prosecutor’s office said a 23-year-old professional football player competing in France’s Ligue 1 was arrested on May 29. 2026. as part of their investigation. The office added that the investigation concerns alleged offences of organized fraud. organized sports corruption. receiving stolen goods. and money laundering.

The prosecutor’s office said the player was questioned while in police custody and was released without being detained. Wahi’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Back in international football, Ivory Coast sought to separate the investigation from its sporting plans. The Ivorian soccer federation said it has not been officially notified “of any judicial or administrative proceedings” concerning Wahi. The federation said it “offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him. ” adding that Wahi “remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team.”.

Wahi’s club form has given the national team additional reason to want him on the field. He joined Nice on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in January and scored nine goals in 18 games across all competitions, helping the team reach the French Cup final.

The French league season ended on May 17. Less than two weeks later, Wahi scored twice to help Nice stay in the top division with a 4-1 win over Saint-Etienne in the second leg of the promotion-relegation playoffs.

Ivory Coast arrived in Toronto on the back of its own momentum. The Elephants beat Ecuador 1-0 last Sunday at Philadelphia Stadium, and they will return there for their group-play finale on Thursday against Curaçao. In the FIFA world rankings, Ivory Coast hold No. 33.

As the squad looked toward Saturday’s game at Toronto Stadium. defender Wilfried Singo summed up the mood in the way many teams do when the focus is supposed to stay on football. “We are very happy to be here,” Singo said through an interpreter. “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.”.

Elye Wahi Ivory Coast Germany vs Ivory Coast FIFA World Cup Toronto Stadium Centennial Park Emerse Fae Wilfried Singo Christ Inao Oulai Nice Metz Ligue 1 betting investigation Marseille prosecutor's office organized sports corruption