World Cup 2026 LIVE: Ivory Coast striker refused entry to Canada over match-fixing arrest | OneFootball

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi will not be involved in this weekend’s clash with with Germany in Toronto after the player was denied entry into Canada amid an ongoing investigation into his potential involvement in match-fixing.

He was reportedly arrested less than two weeks ago and is the subject of an “active investigation” to establish whether the forward deliberately earned a yellow card while playing for Nice against Metz in Ligue 1 on 17 May.

The Ivorian Football Federation said they had full confidence in Wahi, who is not travelling with the squad because authorisations for his travel to Canada had not been obtained.

Elsewhere, Thomas Tuchel has called on Fifa to intervene after photographers “ruined” what was an “emotional moment” of his first England national anthem ahead of his side’s 4-2 win over Croatia, while there are questions around whether Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued presence at the forefront of Portugal’s setup is hurting the nation’s chances in the tournament, after his dismal display against DR Congo.

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Will Castle18 June 2026 14:20

Dallas pub forced to close after England fans cause ‘mayhem’ at World Cup watch party

A Dallas pub, The Londoner, was forced to close its doors during England's World Cup victory over Croatia, just a day after reporting sales of over 5,000 beers to jubilant fans.

The establishment, a hub for England supporters, was shut down by the fire marshal following "the mayhem that descended on us," with social media footage showing extreme overcrowding.

The pub had previously boasted about its impressive beer sales the night before the Three Lions' opening match.

Dallas pub forced to close after England fans cause ‘mayhem’ at World Cup watch party

The Londoner pub was shut down by a fire marshal just a day after boasting of selling 5000 beers to England fans

Will Castle18 June 2026 14:12

POLL: How far will England go?

Will Castle18 June 2026 14:04

WATCH: Police use ‘VAR’ to catch bag thieves during World Cup

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Will Castle18 June 2026 13:56

Ibrahima Konate signs with European titans after leaving Liverpool on a free

Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer after the France centre-back decided to leave Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract.

The 27-year-old defender's departure from Anfield had already been announced by the Premier League club, with Real saying on Thursday that they “have reached an agreement for him to become a Real Madrid player for the next four seasons, until June 30, 2030.”

Konate becomes the third player in the past week to line up a move to Real from the Premier League, following a £52m deal for Spain left-back Marc Cucurella from Chelsea on Monday and Bernardo Silva’s impending arrival as a free agent from Manchester City.

Will Castle18 June 2026 13:48

Full story: Ivory Coast star becomes second World Cup player denied entry to Canada

Ivory Coast’s Elye Wahi has been denied entry into Canada for his country’s next World Cup match – a day after it was revealed that the 23-year-old had been arrested over match-fixing offences.

The Ivorian forward Wahi is the subject of an “active investigation” from the French police to establish whether he deliberately earned a yellow card while playing for Nice against Metz in Ligue 1 on 17 May.

A report in The Athletic detailed that Wahi, who started Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win against Ecuador on Sunday night, was subsequently arrested by French police on 29 May and was released after an interview.

However, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) issued a statement on Thursday detailing that Wahi has not been allowed to join the squad for their clash in Toronto against Germany on Saturday as the “necessary administrative authorisations for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this stage.”

Wahi becomes the second World Cup player who has not been allowed entry into Canada after Ghana’s Thomas Partey – who denies allegations of rape and sexual assault in the UK – was refused entry for his side’s 1-0 win against Panama on Wednesday in Toronto.

Kieran Jackson18 June 2026 13:40

Thomas Tuchel hails 'absolute leader' Harry Kane

Thomas Tuchel heaped praise on “full package” Harry Kane as well as fellow goalscorers Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford after England began the World Cup with a bang against Croatia.

England boss Tuchel said: “If you see the commitment of our captain, of our number nine, in the extra time to block a crucial shot after a set piece with all his body and his commitment to buy into a defensive action like this, then you know everything about his performance today.

“Complete performance, absolute leader and he is all in – he’s all in physically, he’s all in mentally, and he’s all in.”

Will Castle18 June 2026 13:33

Australia duo plot downfall of club-mate and US goalkeeper Freese

Australia duo Kai Trewin and Aiden O’Neill wished his New York City FC team-mate Matt Freese good luck before their World ⁠Cup clash but will try to help the Socceroos foil the United States goalkeeper on Friday.

"Obviously there's lots, lots of pressure for him and for the US, obviously playing on home soil," Trewin said. "So ⁠I just wished him the best and ‌I see how hard he works every day in training and in games.

"Obviously .... I hope we get a positive result against them. But for the rest of the tournament, I wish him the best."

O’Neill added: “We're excited to play against each other. Obviously, he's a top keeper, Matt, and it would be good to get one up on him, that's for sure."