Ivory Coast international Elye Wahi is at the center of a match-fixing investigation after reports emerged that he was arrested by French police less than two weeks before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 23-year-old forward, who is representing Ivory Coast at the tournament, is being investigated over allegations that he deliberately sought to receive a yellow card during a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz on May 17.
According to reports, French authorities began examining the case after detecting suspicious betting activity linked to wagers placed on Wahi receiving a booking during the match.
Investigators are exploring whether the incident may constitute spot-fixing, a form of sports corruption in which a specific event within a game is manipulated for betting purposes.
French Authorities Confirm Investigation
A spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office confirmed that a Ligue 1 player was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation involving allegations of organised fraud, organised sports corruption, money laundering and handling proceeds of crime.
The player was later released after being questioned, while the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not announced any formal charges.
The prosecutor’s office also noted that the footballer under investigation is not a member of France’s national team participating in the World Cup.
Football Authorities Monitoring Developments
France’s Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), the body responsible for overseeing professional football in the country, has acknowledged the investigation and said it is cooperating with law enforcement authorities.
In a statement, the LFP said it would not comment further because of the confidential nature of the ongoing proceedings and has not initiated disciplinary action at this stage.
However, the organisation stressed that it remains committed to protecting the integrity of its competitions and could take action depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Wahi Continues World Cup Campaign
Despite the allegations, Wahi was included in Ivory Coast’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has continued to feature for the national team.
The striker played 55 minutes in the Elephants’ opening 1-0 victory over Ecuador, helping the African side begin its World Cup campaign on a positive note while the investigation unfolds away from the tournament.
Background: A Rising Talent Under Scrutiny
Wahi has been regarded as one of the brightest attacking talents to emerge from French football in recent years.
Born in France, he built his reputation through impressive performances in Ligue 1 before opting to represent Ivory Coast at international level.
Still only 23, the forward has already made a name for himself with his pace, movement and goalscoring ability.
His selection for the 2026 World Cup was seen as another step forward in a rapidly developing career.
However, the ongoing investigation has now placed him under an unexpected spotlight, with both football authorities and fans awaiting the outcome of the case.
