Inter Milan's Bonny Chooses Ivory Coast Over France for 2026 World Cup

Ange-Yoan Bonny has committed his international future to Ivory Coast rather than France. On Friday, FIFA officially sanctioned the Inter Milan striker's eligibility transfer, positioning him to suit up for the reigning Africa Cup of Nations titleholders at the 2026 World Cup.

The 22-year-old had been competing at the France Under-21 level but qualified for the switch through his family connections to Ivory Coast. The French Football Federation approved the transfer, effectively ending any possibility of Bonny wearing the Les Bleus jersey.

Ivory Coast lands quality depth up front

This acquisition represents more than just a player seeking international exposure. Bonny has netted seven times in his inaugural campaign with Inter following his transfer from Parma — an impressive tally for a young forward adapting to one of Europe's premier clubs. He appeared in all 10 of Inter's Champions League fixtures this term, though he cracked the starting eleven just twice without finding the net, contributing three assists. Essentially, he's a rotational option with significant potential for growth.

For the Ivorians, securing a player embedded within Inter's sophisticated system represents a genuine enhancement. Their World Cup group assignment — Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao — appears navigable enough that advancing to the knockout rounds is a realistic objective, and possessing a forward who understands elite-level tactical frameworks could prove decisive in closely contested matches.

Ivory Coast will contest two group stage fixtures in Philadelphia and one in Toronto. Bonny should be quite familiar with those North American venues by next summer.

What France forfeits in this deal

The loss for France carries real significance, despite being easy to minimize. Bonny developed through the French youth development pipeline and established himself as a regular in the Under-21 program. Given the senior squad's substantial attacking options, a World Cup selection was never assured — but losing him to another nation permanently eliminates that possibility. At 22 and trending upward, he represented a player who might have matured into a senior team contributor.

What France surrenders, Ivory Coast gains. Seven goals, Inter Milan credentials, and a World Cup berth now confirmed. The Elephants will happily accept this addition.