Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi was arrested on match-fixing allegations just two weeks before the 2026 World Cup, dealing a shock blow to the tournament and the player’s squad. The 22-year-old, expected to feature for the Elephants, was taken into custody over suspected spot-fixing offenses, according to multiple reports.
The case centers on an incident during Wahi’s stint at Nice, when the French league flagged an “unusual amount of bets” placed on him receiving a yellow card. Investigators allege the wager patterns suggest a coordinated scheme to manipulate a specific in-game event, a practice known as spot-fixing. The arrest came on the eve of the competition, according to The Athletic.
Ivory Coast now faces a major disruption to its attacking plans, as Wahi was a key option in a squad that includes high-profile forwards. The team is already under pressure to advance from a competitive group, and this off-field crisis could fracture morale in the camp before a single kick is taken.
The player has not yet commented publicly, and no formal charges have been filed. His legal team is expected to contest the allegations. The World Cup itself is set to kick off as scheduled, with Ivory Coast’s opening match on the horizon.
Coach Emerse Faé will now have to recalibrate his lineup, likely turning to alternative attacking options. The tournament organizers have not issued a statement on the arrest, though the incident casts a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory global gathering.