Cédric Bakambu Returns to Seville After Congo's World Cup Qualification Celebration Cédric Bakambu has returned to Seville, though his arrival did not coincide with his rejoining the Real Betis squad for the upcoming UEFA Europa League quarter-final. The Congolese striker landed in the city after a week of historic celebrations in his homeland, following the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The team secured their place by defeating Jamaica in a crucial qualifier, marking the country’s first World Cup qualification in 52 years. Bakambu’s return to Seville was delayed by the extensive festivities organized by his federation to commemorate the DRC’s achievement. These events kept him away from the team’s training sessions and prevented him from participating in the official celebrations. As a result, he missed the previous league match against Espanyol, which had already sparked frustration within Real Betis. The club’s management expressed disappointment over his absence, emphasizing the importance of his presence for the upcoming Europa League clash against SC Braga. Despite his return, Bakambu will not be included in the squad for the first leg of the quarter-final against Braga. The coaching staff has opted to exclude him, citing the need to prioritize the team’s preparation for the match. This decision has further intensified the tension between Real Betis and the DRC federation, which has been criticized for retaining the player beyond the officially sanctioned dates for such events. Real Betis, along with other affected clubs, has formally lodged a complaint with LaLiga, urging the league governing body to address the scheduling conflict.#la_liga #fifa #real_betis #cedric_bakambu #democratic_republic_of_the_congo
