Elye Wahi and Bonny Switch Bring Ivory Coast Paris Debut

Ange-Yoann Bonny made his Ivory Coast debut against France on June 4 in Paris after switching international allegiance in the spring, and elye wahi sits in the same national-team conversation as Ivory Coast push toward the World Cup. The 22-year-old played 23 minutes in the 2-1 win, a sharp turn for a forward who had spent years in France’s youth setup.

Bonny’s Paris debut

Bonny’s first appearance for Ivory Coast came against the country he had represented through the youth ranks, and it arrived in Paris with France on the other side of the scoreline. He entered for 23 minutes and left the game with Ivory Coast holding a 2-1 win.

The switch had already moved through FIFA approval after Bonny requested the change in the spring. He had made 19 appearances in the French shirt, starting with France Under-19s in 2022 before moving on to the Under-20 and Under-21 squads.

From France youth to Ivory Coast

Bonny’s French run included a semi-final place at the European Championship with the Under-19s. He then went on to add Under-20 and Under-21 caps, building a long youth résumé before the international switch changed his path.

He had also spent four seasons at Parma before joining Inter, and his international decision came after his appearances reduced at the club in Milan. That reduction pushed the issue into sharper focus for a player now listed as an Ivory Coast international at 22.

Ivory Coast and Ecuador

Ivory Coast had been courting Bonny for some time, and the move gives the team another attacking option as it builds around the World Cup. The immediate picture now includes Ecuador in Philadelphia tomorrow, with Bonny already in the pool after the Paris debut.

The broader question around him is not whether he can switch again, but how much room he earns in a squad chasing a place among the World Cup contenders. The line around him has already shifted from France’s youth pathway to Ivory Coast’s attack, and that changed on June 4 in Paris.