World Cup star was arrested less than two weeks before playing in nation's opening game

A player who is currently playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was reportedly arrested on suspicion of match-fixing offences less than two weeks before the tournament got underway.

Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi, who started the side’s 1-0 win over Ecuador on June 15, was reportedly arrested less than two weeks before the World Cup, according to a report from The Athletic.

The arrest relates to the Eintracht Frankfurt striker allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card during a match against Metz while he was on loan at Ligue 1 side Nice during the 2025/26 season.

Sources confirmed to The Athletic that an investigation into the alleged offence is ongoing, despite Wahi being free to play at the World Cup.

The 23-year-old was arrested by French police on May 29, shortly after he netted a brace against Saint-Étienne and, in doing so, secured Nice’s Ligue 1 status.

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The forward later travelled to the United States for the World Cup and appeared to have had no issues entering the country, as he has yet to be charged with an offence.

Statement issued on Wahi's arrest

In a statement to The Athletic, Marseille’s public prosecutor’s office said: “We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1, was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office into allegations of organised fraud, organised sports corruption, handling the proceeds of crime and money laundering.

“He was released after he was interviewed in police custody. The investigations remain ongoing. The football player is not a member of the French squad taking part in the World Cup.”

The report also claims that the case arose when the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) became aware of suspicious betting patterns related to Nice’s Ligue 1 match against Metz, with wagers placed on Wahi receiving a caution.

Wahi received a yellow card in the 35th minute after committing a foul just two minutes earlier.

It remains unclear whether the alleged offence could affect Wahi’s entry into Canada ahead of Ivory Coast’s Group E clash against Germany on June 20.

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has already been denied entry into the North American country.

The former Arsenal and current Villarreal midfielder is due to stand trial next year after pleading not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022.

Wahi previously represented France at youth level, including at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, but has since played twice for Ivory Coast.