Ivorian striker Elye Wahi detained on match-fixing charges before World Cup 2026
Released hours before Ivory Coast’s opener, Wahi played despite allegations that could reshape World Cup narratives and team trust.
Elye Wahi, Ivory Coast’s striker slated for the 2026 World Cup, was arrested two weeks before the tournament on match-fixing suspicions. He was released in time to start the team’s opener against Ecuador, a decision that has reignited debates over due process and tournament integrity. The arrest occurred on an unspecified date in the fortnight leading up to the World Cup, according to reports citing judicial sources.
Investigators allege Wahi’s involvement in efforts to manipulate match results, though no formal charges have been filed. The case remains under seal, with limited details released to the public. French prosecutors, acting on a tip from Europol’s sports integrity unit, opened the investigation after detecting irregular betting patterns linked to matches involving Wahi’s club, Montpellier, in the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season.
