World Cup striker arrested on suspicion of alleged fixing offences ahead of opening game

Ivory Coast international Elye Wahi was arrested on suspicion of match fixing offences – two weeks before the 2026 World Cup.

The Nice striker started the 1-0 win over Ecuador in the early hours of Monday morning [UK time] and played 56 minutes as the Elephants claimed a late victory over the South American side.

Wahi is still subject to an active investigation following the alleged incident, which took place during Nice’s 0-0 draw with Metz last month.

The 23-year-old supposedly earned an intentional yellow card during the stalemate.

And Wahi was arrested at on May 29 as a result – shortly after scoring a brace in a 4-1 win over Saint-Etienne that kept his side in Ligue 1.

As he wasn’t charged, Wahi travelled stateside for the 2026 World Cup, and is in line to start Ivory Coast’s upcoming group meeting with Germany.

“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 of proceeds of crime and money laundering,” a spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office told the Athletic.

“He was released after he was interviewed in police custody. The investigations remain ongoing.

“The football player is not a member of the French selection taking part in the World Cup.”

A probe began after Ligue 1’s official governing body, LFP, received a number of notifications surrounding suspicious betting patterns over wagers for Wahi to be yellow-carded against Metz.

The young striker was shown a booking in the 35th minute of the goalless draw for a foul on Sadibou Sane.

The foul itself was one of three Wahi committed in the meeting with Metz having been pulled up in the 31st and the 34th minute before his yellow in the 35th minute.

Ivory Coast open World Cup with win

While Wahi was unable to hit the back of the net in the win over Ecuador, he struck the woodwork in the second half with one of two efforts.

The African powerhouse left it late to secure all the spoils against the South American side as Manchester United winger Amad Diallo struck a late winner after coming off the bench in the narrow triumph.

Victory means that Ivory Coast are all-but guaranteed a spot in the next round of the World Cup.

And they will hope to go top of Group E when they face Germany this weekend.