Elye Wahi from the Ivory Coast was granted a Canadian visa hours after being denied | World Cup 2026

The striker will now be able to join his team in Toronto when they face Germany on Saturday.

Ivory Coast star Elye Wahi has been cleared to travel to Canada for this weekend’s World Cup match against Germany, the country’s soccer federation said, hours after it was announced. he could not walk because he did not receive his visa.

“The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) says that Elye Wahi’s situation has improved. The necessary permits for him to enter Canadian territory have now been obtained,” he said on Thursday.

Wahi has been linked to an investigation into sports corruption, with French authorities saying illegal betting was discovered in the yellow cards Wahi received during a Ligue 1 match against Nice last month.

Wahi, who was not immediately available for comment, was not named as a suspect.

A spokesman for the Marseille prosecutor’s office said the 23-year-old Ligue 1 player was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation into alleged fraud, sports corruption, handling of stolen property and money laundering.

Wahi’s lawyer, Marie Dose, said the actor was previously questioned for “a few hours” last month, but was released.

“Therefore, Elye Wahi is not being charged at this time and is not being ordered to do so,” he added.

‘Tough times’

The FIF said it had full confidence in Wahi.

“To date, the FIF has not been formally notified of the lawsuits or proceedings,” the FIF said in a statement.

“At this difficult time, FIF offers full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him. Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team.”

The FIF earlier said that Wahi would not be able to join the tour to Canada.

“This is because the management permits needed to enter Canadian territory have not yet been obtained. So Elye Wahi will remain in the United States until the team returns,” he said.

Wahi, who previously represented France under-21, played for the Ivory Coast in March.

Ivory Coast they beat Ecuador 1-0 in their first Group E match, with Germany out 7-1 way of Curacao.

Ghanaian player Thomas Partey he missed their 1-0 final win against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday, after his country failed to appeal against his Canadian visa refusal.

Partey faces seven counts of rape and one count of rape in the United Kingdom.