Éli Junior Kroupi, the AFC Bournemouth striker, said on DAZN that he favours France over Ivory Coast, his father’s country, while remaining technically eligible for the Elephants.
In an interview broadcast on DAZN and relayed by Afrik-Foot, the 20-year-old AFC Bournemouth striker has settled his international future. He stated categorically that he favours the France national team, closing the door on the Ivory Coast national team.
“I always played for France at youth level. I was born in France, I started playing football in France. I can’t see myself going into a culture I don’t know! The France national team is the goal,” he said. The player justifies this choice by his cultural roots and his upbringing in France.
A family legacy and multiple origins
The son of former Ivory Coast international striker Éli Kroupi, who won two caps with the Elephants, Éli Junior could have followed in his father’s footsteps in the orange shirt. But he was born and trained in France, an attachment he puts forward to explain his decision.
He was also eligible for Portugal through his mother’s and grandmother’s origins, as reported by AfricaFootUnited. Portugal coach Roberto Martínez had even approached his entourage before the 2026 World Cup, receiving an initial refusal, according to the same source. Despite these multiple options, Kroupi has made France his priority.
A 2025-2026 season and an injury
On the sporting front, Éli Junior Kroupi scored 13 goals in 35 Premier League matches during the 2025-2026 season with Bournemouth, according to Afrik-Foot. The English club had set his market value at around €116 million in the summer transfer market, amid interest from major European clubs including PSG, Arsenal and FC Barcelona, according to Afrik-Foot.
Currently off the pitch while recovering from a foot injury and a fracture of the fifth metatarsal, he has not yet played this season, according to Foot01. His gradual return to competition is expected in the Premier League in Bournemouth colours.
An international future still unclear
With Les Bleuets, Kroupi has in particular 5 caps and 3 goals with the France Espoirs/U21 team, according to Sport Pulse. Despite his moral commitment to France, he remains technically eligible for Ivory Coast under FIFA regulations as long as he has not played an official match with the senior team, the same source recalls.
Asked about a possible pre-call-up to the France senior team, the player replied: “I have no idea at all!” France coach Zinédine Zidane is due to announce his next squad on 8 November 2026.