Cédric Bakambu Celebrates World Cup Qualification with DR Congo in Kinshasa
DR Congo striker Cédric Bakambu joined his national teammates in a massive public celebration in Kinshasa on Sunday, following the country's historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Leopards, who ended a 52-year wait to reach the tournament, paraded through the capital on an open-top bus, greeted by huge crowds. According to the Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa), the players and coach Sébastien Desabre were officially welcomed back to the country after securing their place at the global finals.
The festivities, which led to a public holiday being declared across the nation, saw Bakambu and captain Chancel Mbemba at the forefront of the celebrations. Images shared by Fecofa showed Bakambu with peroxided hair, soaking in the adulation from supporters. Prior to the street parade, the delegation was received by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo at the Palais de la Nation, underlining the significance of the achievement for the Central African nation.
The qualification was sealed with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Jamaica in a intercontinental playoff last week. Bakambu, 34, was a key figure in the campaign, bringing his experience from a prolific club career in Europe and Asia to the national side. The former Villarreal, Beijing Guoan, and Olympiacos forward remains a vital attacking reference point for Desabre's team as they prepare for their first World Cup since 1974.
In the tournament, drawn in Group K, DR Congo will face formidable opponents in Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. The celebration in Kinshasa marks a pinnacle for a generation of Congolese players and provides a moment of national unity before the focus shifts to the daunting task ahead. The federation's social media posts captured the sentiment, stating the players had "written history" and it was now "time for reunions with the Congolese people."
For Bakambu, currently without a club after his contract with Galatasaray ended, the celebration is a proud career highlight amidst uncertainty over his next professional move. His immediate future, however, is firmly tied to the national team's preparations for the finals in North America. The scenes in Kinshasa demonstrate the profound impact of the qualification, setting a foundation of support the team will carry with them to the World Cup stage in June.
