Days before departing for the World Cup, Ivorian striker Elye Wahi was questioned by French authorities in connection with a suspected match-fixing case in Ligue 1.

French police detained and interviewed Elye Wahi, a 23-year-old striker who had recently competed in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice, just days before he was set to join the Côte d’Ivoire national team for the World Cup. The investigation centers on suspicious betting patterns detected by the French Professional Football League, which prompted a probe into potential match manipulation.

The inquiry began after multiple reports highlighted irregular betting activity linked to a specific scenario: Wahi receiving a yellow card during Nice’s 0-0 draw against Metz on May 17. The Ivorian international was indeed booked in the 35th minute for a reckless tackle on Metz defender Sadibou Sané, despite a similar foul on Bouna Sarr two minutes earlier going unpunished. This yellow card marked his fifth of the season, resulting in a suspension for the first leg of Nice’s relegation playoff against Saint-Étienne, which ended in a 0-0 draw away from home.

Wahi returned to the starting lineup three days later for the second leg, delivering a standout performance with two goals and earning man of the match honors in Nice’s 4-1 victory, securing the team’s Ligue 1 status. It was shortly after this match on May 29 that he was taken in for questioning by French anti-corruption officers.

legal context and ongoing investigation

According to a statement from the Marseille public prosecutor’s office, Wahi was arrested as part of an investigation into suspected organized fraud, sports corruption, money laundering, and concealment. The statement clarified that the player in question was not a member of the French national team participating in the World Cup, though it was later confirmed by multiple sources that the individual was indeed Elye Wahi. The striker, formerly a youth international for France, had switched allegiances to represent Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Following his detention and interrogation, Wahi was released without charges. The investigation remains active, and no formal proceedings have been initiated against him at this stage. This allowed him to travel freely to the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

world cup debut and next steps

Wahi made his World Cup debut on Sunday in Philadelphia, starting for Côte d’Ivoire in their opening match against Ecuador. He combined effectively with teammate Yan Diomande, who was named man of the match, and came close to scoring when his shot struck the crossbar. The victory was secured in the 90th minute by Amad Diallo’s goal, delivering a 1-0 win for the Elephants. Wahi is now set to face Germany in Toronto for the second group-stage match.

The FIFA was approached for comment regarding whether it was aware of Wahi’s situation prior to his participation in the tournament but did not respond. The governing body has also not addressed whether the investigation could impact his eligibility to play or travel.