2026 WORLD CUP NEWS: Cote d'voire Striker granted permission to enter Canada

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has been cleared to travel to Canada after the country's football federation earlier announced he had been unable to obtain the necessary authorisation to enter the country. The Ivorian Football Federation said earlier today that Wahi would remain in the United States after the necessary administrative authorisations for entry into Canada had not been obtained. In the same statement, the federation stressed it had not been officially notified of any judicial or administrative proceedings involving the player and reaffirmed its support for him.

However, just hours later, the federation issued a further update confirming Wahi had received travel authorisation and would be permitted to enter Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada also issued a statement to Sky Sports News, reiterating that hosting major sporting events does not alter the country's immigration laws and that every individual is assessed on a case-by-case basis. The department didn't comment on Wahi's specific situation. (Taken from Sky Sports News who has contacted FIFA for comment.)