French police questioned Ivorian striker Elye Wahi just days before he joined the Ivory Coast squad for the 2026 World Cup, amid suspicious betting patterns linked to a Ligue 1 match.

Elye Wahi faced questioning by French authorities mere days before departing for the FIFA World Cup with the Ivory Coast national team. The 23-year-old striker, who spent the 2023-24 season with OGC Nice, was reportedly brought in for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation into potential match-fixing in French football.

The inquiry centers on a Ligue 1 fixture involving Nice, where Wahi received a controversial yellow card in the final stretch of the season. On May 17, during a goalless draw against FC Metz, the Ivorian international was booked in the 35th minute for a reckless tackle on defender Sadibou Sané. Notably, he had committed a similar foul on left-back Bouna Sarr two minutes earlier without being penalized, raising questions about the consistency of officiating.

This yellow card marked Wahi’s fifth of the season, resulting in a suspension that forced him to miss the first leg of Nice’s relegation playoff against AS Saint-Étienne. However, he returned for the decisive second leg on May 29, delivering a standout performance with two goals in a 4-1 victory that secured Nice’s top-flight status. It was immediately after this match that French anti-corruption officers took Wahi into custody.

France’s Marseille public prosecutor’s office later confirmed the arrest in an official statement: “We can confirm that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 footballer was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille prosecutor’s office into suspected organized fraud, sports corruption, concealment, and money laundering.”

The prosecutor’s office did not name the player but clarified that he was not part of the French national team competing in the World Cup. Subsequent reports identified the individual as Elye Wahi, a former French youth international who had switched his international allegiance to the Ivory Coast ahead of the 2026 tournament.

While Wahi was released after questioning and allowed to travel to North America for the World Cup, the investigation remains active. Authorities have stated that no formal charges have been filed at this stage. As of the opening matchday, Wahi featured as a starter for the Ivory Coast in their 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia, combining effectively with teammate Yan Diomande and nearly scoring himself before Amad Diallo delivered the winning goal in stoppage time.

The FIFA has yet to comment on whether it is aware of the investigation or whether it could affect Wahi’s eligibility to participate in or travel for the tournament. The Ivorian striker is scheduled to face Germany in Toronto on Saturday as the Elephants aim to advance in Group B.