Elye Wahi of Ivory Coast, who is currently playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was arrested for alleged spot-fixing. The arrest occurred approximately two weeks before the tournament began on June 11, and ABC News confirmed the arrest on Wednesday.
Wahi has been competing in the group stage despite the criminal allegations against him. The specific details of the alleged spot-fixing conspiracy have not been publicly disclosed, but the charge represents a serious breach of competitive integrity.
This development adds to ongoing concerns about match manipulation in football at all competitive levels, including during major international tournaments.
Match-fixing allegations against active World Cup players could impact market confidence in betting lines for Ivory Coast fixtures, as integrity violations undermine competitive fairness and may result in further disciplinary action from FIFA or match suspension.
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