The soccer team from Congo has decided to cancel a three-day training camp meant to prep them for the World Cup, alongside a farewell event for fans in Kinshasa, due to an Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the country.
Instead, the team will conduct its preparations elsewhere after an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. This rare variant is believed to have resulted in over 130 fatalities and has spurred nearly 600 suspected cases.
The World Health Organization has categorized this outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
Congo’s team is still set to participate in World Cup warmup matches, facing Denmark in Liege, Belgium, on June 3, and Chile in southern Spain on June 9. According to team spokesman Jerry Kalemo, both matches are proceeding as planned.
Kalemo explained, “Our preparation was split into three phases: bidding farewell to our fans in Kinshasa, playing friendlies in Belgium and Spain, and then heading to Houston, United States, from June 11. Only the Kinshasa stage has been canceled.”
All the players from Congo, along with their French coach, Sébastien Desabre, are based outside the country, with the majority plying their trade in France.
Some team staff who are based in Congo “are leaving in the next hours,” Kalemo said.
Soccer’s governing body FIFA issued a statement that “it is aware of and monitoring the situation regarding an Ebola outbreak and is in close communication with the Congo DR Football Association to ensure that the team are made aware of all medical and security guidance.
“FIFA continues to work with all three FIFA World Cup 2026 host countries’ governments, including the US Department of State, CDC and Department of Homeland Security, Mexico’s Secretariat of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as with the World Health Organization, to ensure a safe and secure tournament, as the health of all individuals involved remains FIFA’s priority.”
Congo, which qualified for the World Cup after winning a playoff tournament in Mexico, has been drawn in Group K. It faces Portugal for its opening game in Houston on June 17.
The Leopards then face Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23 before playing Uzbekistan in Atlanta for their final group game on June 27.
Congo’s first World Cup qualification since 1974, when it was called Zaire, sparked scenes of jubilation across the nation, which has been battered by decades of conflict.
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