Eli Junior Kroupi: Bournemouth forward handed first France call-up by Zidane

Eli Junior Kroupi has been called up to the senior France squad for the first time, two weeks after returning from a broken foot.

The 20-year-old Bournemouth forward was summoned by Zinedine Zidane on Tuesday after Marcus Thuram pulled out with a hamstring injury. He joins the squad at Clairefontaine ahead of Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey. His family say it is “a dream”.

Eli Junior Kroupi: how the call came

Thuram felt tightness in his right hamstring during Inter Milan’s 2-0 win over Como on Sunday and missed training on Monday. After further tests on Tuesday, the French federation said in an official statement that he would return to his club.

Zidane turned straight to Kroupi. Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni has also withdrawn injured, and Zidane will not replace him, which leaves more room in the squad.

Kroupi is one of three new faces this month, along with Pablo Pagis, his former Lorient team-mate, and Wolfsburg right-back Saël Kumbedi, who replaced the injured Pierre Kalulu.

Zidane had already admitted Kroupi was close. When he named his squad last week, he said the forward was on his wider list, as reported by franceinfo. “He could have come and been with us,” Zidane said, in translation. “The only thing is that he was injured for two or three months.”

A dream for the Kroupi family

His father, also called Eli, is a former Ivory Coast international who played up front for Lorient and Nancy. He told Ouest-France, in comments carried by GOAL, that the family were not expecting the news.

“We didn’t necessarily expect it because he’s just coming back from injury. It’s a dream. With what he’s done since he was in the youth categories, and again last season, it’s a reward. Is it deserved? It’s not for me to say. But it’s a good thing the manager called him.”

He believes his son is ready for the step up. “On this first camp, only Junior knows what he is capable of doing,” he said. “The answer will be on the pitch, but he knows where he wants to go.”

From injury to Les Bleus

Kroupi has been on a fast track. He finished as Ligue 2’s top scorer with Lorient in 2025 and was part of the France Under-19 side that reached the European Championship final in 2024.

He then scored 13 Premier League goals in his first season at Bournemouth, a record for a teenager in his debut season in the division.

A broken foot in pre-season halted his progress. We covered his gradual comeback in our Junior Kroupi injury update. He returned at the end of October and has not yet started for Marco Rose’s side. However, his fine piece of skill set up Amine Adli’s stoppage-time goal in the 2-0 win over Leeds, and he came off the bench as Bournemouth won 2-1 at Ipswich last weekend.

What comes next for Eli Junior Kroupi

France top their Nations League group and need only a draw to reach the quarter-finals. They face Italy at San Siro on Thursday and host Turkey in Bordeaux on Sunday.

A first cap is far from certain, but with Thuram and Tchouaméni both out, Zidane has fewer options than he planned for. Just being in the room is a huge moment for a 20-year-old.

For Bournemouth, who have won eight in a row in all competitions, it is a welcome boost too. Rose will hope Kroupi returns sharp for the Cherries’ next league game. Follow it all on our Premier League news page.

FAQ

Why was Eli Junior Kroupi called up by France?
Zidane called him up to replace Marcus Thuram, who withdrew with a right hamstring injury.

How many goals did Eli Junior Kroupi score last season?
He scored 13 Premier League goals for Bournemouth, a record for a teenager in his first season in the division.

Who is Eli Junior Kroupi’s father?
Eli Kroupi, a former Ivory Coast international striker who played for Lorient and Nancy.

When could Kroupi make his France debut?
France play Italy on Thursday 12 November and Turkey on Sunday 15 November.