Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
At the same time that the countries hosting the World Cup announced the imposition Additional health checks At the border, and barring entry to foreign visitors who have spent the past 21 days in Uganda, Congo, or South Sudan, US officials confirmed that the Congolese national team is training in EuropeTherefore, he is not covered by these procedures. Moreover, none of the selected players currently play in the Congolese league.
Congo national team's training camp in Kinshasa cancelled due to Ebola outbreak
The Democratic Republic of Congo has cancelled its national football team's World Cup training camp in Kinshasa following an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country.
The team will continue its preparations in Belgium as authorities respond to the health crisis that has reportedly caused more than 130 deaths.
Ebola is a public health emergency
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,” while emphasizing that it does not qualify as a pandemic.
Team spokesman Jerry Kalimo said the friendly matches in Europe will go ahead as planned, as the team prepares for its first World Cup appearance since 1974.
The Democratic Republic of Congo national football team is scheduled to face Denmark in Belgium on June 3, and Chile in Spain on June 9.
One of the host countries for the 2026 World Cup bans 3
Officials also announced the cancellation of the Kinshasa camp due to travel restrictions imposed on the United States, one of the World Cup host countries along with Mexico and Canada, where U.S. public health authorities have barred entry to non-citizens who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan.
It is worth noting that all the players, along with head coach Sebastien Desabre, reside outside the country, which means that the restrictions are not expected to affect the team now that the local training camp has been cancelled.
According to reports, the planned event in Kinshasa was expected to attract fans and officials, including President Felix Tshisekedi.
Kinshasa is located about 1,800 kilometers from Ituri province in the east, the epicenter of the outbreak, and no cases have been reported in the capital.
Health officials are still operating with two different figures: the World Health Organization has reported 139 deaths among about 600 suspected cases, while the Congolese Ministry of Health told state broadcaster RTNC that it had recorded 159 deaths.
The outbreak is due to a rare strain of the Ebola virus called Bundibugyo. There is currently no approved vaccine for this strain, and the World Health Organization says developing one could take up to 9 months.
In addition, the World Cup host countries announced on Monday that they would impose additional health checks at the borders, and that foreign visitors who have spent the past 21 days in Uganda, Congo, or South Sudan would be barred from entering. However, US officials confirmed that the Congolese national team is training in Europe and is therefore not subject to these measures. Furthermore, none of the selected players currently play in the Congolese league.
By winning their continental playoff against Jamaica, Congo qualified for the World Cup for the second time in their history. Their previous appearance (as Zaire) was in 1974. Congo will compete in Group K at the World Cup.
