{"id":36646,"date":"2026-06-19T12:02:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:02:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/19\/world-cup-star-suspended-from-next-group-match-after-spot-match-fixing-arrest\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T12:02:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:02:34","slug":"world-cup-star-suspended-from-next-group-match-after-spot-match-fixing-arrest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/19\/world-cup-star-suspended-from-next-group-match-after-spot-match-fixing-arrest\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup star suspended from next group match after spot match-fixing arrest"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/p>\n
\n
Elly Wahi denied entry to Canada after playing in World Cup opening match<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
June 18, 2026 13:17<\/span>Updated June 18, 2026 15:01<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
It has been confirmed that Ivorian winger Eli Wahi has been refused entry to Canada. (Image: Josep Martinsson – FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Ivory Coast striker Elie Wahi has been excluded from the World Cup group stage match against Germany after being refused entry to Canada. Wahi was reportedly arrested on suspicion of spot match-fixing just two weeks before the World Cup in connection with an incident during a match with French club Nice last month.<\/p>\n
The player traveled to the United States for the tournament and started in the win over Ecuador in Philadelphia, but the Ivorian Football Federation later announced that he and his teammates would not take part in the trip to Canada. This comes after Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey was refused entry into the country for the match against Panama.<\/p>\n
“The Ivorian Football Federation has taken note of the various articles and information regarding Ivorian international Elie Wahi published on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. To date, FIF has not been officially informed of any judicial or administrative proceedings regarding him,” the statement said.<\/p>\n
Join us on Facebook! For the latest news, analysis and more on our Mirror Football Facebook page<\/p>\n
“At this particularly delicate time, FIF offers the player all its support and reaffirms its confidence in him. Elly Wahi remains an important element of the Ivorian national team.”<\/p>\n
“FIF has also advised that the player cannot participate in the delegation to Canada. Indeed, at this stage it has not been possible to obtain the necessary administrative permission for the player to enter Canadian territory.”<\/p>\n
“Eli Wahi will therefore remain in the United States until the team’s return. The Ivorian Football Federation will continue to closely monitor the situation and communicate any useful official information.”<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Elie Wahi started for Ivory Coast in the World Cup match against Ecuador. (Images: DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images, Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The Athletic reported that Wahi was arrested and released after being questioned by police in connection with the incident. The investigation focuses on whether he intentionally received a yellow card during the match between Nice and Metz on May 17.<\/p>\n
The striker joined Nice on loan from German club Eintracht Frankfurt in January and helped the team reach the French Cup final, scoring nine goals.<\/p>\n
Ivory Coast got off to a good start by defeating Ecuador earlier this week with a last-minute winner from Manchester United star Amad Diallo.<\/p>\n
They will next face Germany in Group E in Toronto, and both sides know they have a good chance of securing a spot in the knockout stages if they get just one point.<\/p>\n
Sign up now to our Make Football Great Again newsletter and get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox!<\/p>\n
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with Sky Glass ‘designed for soccer’<\/p>\n
\n
This article contains affiliate links and we receive a commission from any sales we generate from them. learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
From \u00a34.50<\/p>\n
sky<\/p>\n
Get the deal here<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Sky is marking the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by reducing prices by 20% on its entire range of glass TVs. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to a Sky smart TV ‘designed for football’ from \u00a34.50 a month when taken with a Sky TV and Netflix package.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Eli](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37314737.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Cote-DIvoire-v-Ecuador-Group-E-FIFA-World-Cup-2026.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Eli](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37314736.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Cote-DIvoire-v-Ecuador-Group-E-FIFA-World-Cup-2026.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"content](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37252457.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Untitled-June-03-2026-at-091411-3jpeg.jpg\"\/)
<\/div>\n