Drawn in a difficult Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan, the Leopards face a demanding challenge on paper. Credit: CAF
The Democratic Republic of Congo football federation canceled its national team’s training camp and farewell match in Kinshasa due to an Ebola outbreak in the country’s east. The coaching staff immediately moved their training for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the Belgian city of Liège. The federation made this decision to protect the delegation before their trip to the United States.
The Ebola virus outbreak is of the Bundibugyo variant and has resulted in over 500 suspected cases and more than 140 deaths in the affected region. Ituri province, where the outbreak is centered, is 1,800 kilometers (1,118 miles) from the capital, Kinshasa. Head coach Sébastien Desabre canceled his planned public farewell ceremony with President Félix Tshisekedi in the capital. The team will train at Standard Liège’s facilities before traveling to North America.
The position of the World Health Organization and FIFA
The World Health Organization declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, while clarifying that it does not foresee a global pandemic in the short term. FIFA is monitoring the medical situation daily and maintaining constant communication with the Congolese federation, while also working with the health authorities of the three host countries to prevent infections during the tournament.
The United States’ entry measures
The United States government has banned entry for 30 days to any traveler who has been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days. However, the U.S. State Department will facilitate the entry of the Congolese national team to compete in the tournament under special health protocols. Authorities will apply the same isolation measures and medical testing as for returning U.S. citizens to any member of the delegation who has visited the affected area in the preceding weeks.
Fortunately for the Congolese national team, all 26 players called up play for European clubs and avoided traveling to Africa during the current outbreak. The squad will travel directly from their training facilities in Europe to their training camp in Belgium.
The Group K match against Colombia
The “Leopards” of the Democratic Republic of Congo will compete in the World Cup for the first time since 1974 in Group K. This group includes Colombia, which will face the African team on Tuesday, June 23, at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan. The Congolese team will debut against Portugal in Houston before their match against the South American team.
Preparation in Europe and arrival controls
The Congolese national team will play friendly matches against Denmark on June 3 in Belgium and against Chile in Spain on June 9. The team doctors will examine the players and coaching staff before they travel to North America. U.S. authorities will conduct additional health screenings of the team upon arrival at the airport to ensure the tournament’s safety.