Just days before embarking on his World Cup journey, Ivorian striker Elye Wahi was detained and questioned by French authorities concerning a potential Ligue 1 match-fixing scandal.

Star forward Elye Wahi underwent questioning by French police merely days prior to the commencement of the World Cup, where he is representing Côte d’Ivoire. This development, which came to light on Wednesday, June 17, indicates that the player, who competed for OGC Nice during the recent season, was interrogated in connection with an alleged match-fixing scheme. The specific fixture under scrutiny by investigators is from the latest French Ligue 1 championship.

The inquiry reportedly began after the Professional Football League received multiple alerts concerning unusual betting patterns. These alerts specifically highlighted suspicious wagers placed on Wahi receiving a yellow card during the May 17 match between Nice and Metz, which ended in a goalless draw.

During that encounter, the forward was booked in the 35th minute for a late challenge on Metz defender Sadibou Sané. Interestingly, just two minutes prior, he had committed a comparable foul on full-back Bouna Sarr but escaped punishment. This particular yellow card marked his fifth of the season, leading to his suspension for the first leg of the relegation playoffs against Saint-Étienne, which also concluded in a 0-0 draw away from home.

Three days later, Wahi rejoined the squad for the return leg, reclaiming his starting position. He delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice and earning man-of-the-match honors in Nice’s crucial 4-1 victory, which secured their Ligue 1 status. However, it was shortly after this pivotal match, on May 29, that French anti-corruption police specialists took him into custody.

The Marseille public prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrest in a statement, acknowledging that “a 23-year-old Ligue 1 footballer was apprehended on May 29 as part of an ongoing investigation initiated by the Marseille prosecutor’s office into alleged organized fraud, organized sports corruption, concealment, and money laundering.”

While refraining from naming the individual, the spokesperson clarified that “the footballer is not a member of the French national team participating in the World Cup.” Nevertheless, it is understood that the player in question is Elye Wahi, a former French youth international who opted to represent Côte d’Ivoire several months before the 2026 World Cup.

The prosecutor’s office further stated that the legal proceedings have not advanced beyond this initial stage. “He was released after being questioned in police custody. The investigation remains ongoing,” the spokesperson added. Consequently, Elye Wahi is not currently facing charges and was free to travel to the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Last Sunday in Philadelphia, Elye Wahi prominently featured for the Elephants in their opening World Cup fixture against Ecuador. Starting the match, he displayed strong synergy with his teammate Yan Diomande, who was named man of the match, and notably struck the crossbar. His fellow Ivorian, Amad Diallo, ultimately secured a 1-0 victory for the Elephants in the 90th minute.

When asked about its awareness of Wahi’s arrest prior to his debut match, FIFA offered no comment regarding the incident or any potential impact on his eligibility to play or travel. The striker is now expected to join his team in Toronto for Saturday’s crucial second group stage match against Germany at the World Cup.