Wai was denied entry to Canada for the 2026 World Cup match against Germany

Ivory Coast forward Elie Wai has been denied entry to Canada for the second round World Cup group stage match against Germany in Toronto on June 20. The forward of Nice in May on suspicion of involvement in the manipulation of certain events of the matches. Wai is suspected of deliberately picking up a yellow card in the French league match against Metz on May 17. The football player was released after questioning by the police, the investigation is currently ongoing. The Ivorian Football Federation said it had not received official reports of judicial or administrative proceedings against Wai, but confirmed that the player was unable to obtain permission to enter Canada. 23-year-old Wai, who played in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against Ecuador (1:0), will remain on the territory of the United States. The final match of the group stage of the tournament will be played by the Côte d'Ivoire national team against Curaçao in Philadelphia on June 25.