The Spanish city of La Línea de la Concepción has called off a scheduled warm‑up match for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national football team against Chile, citing the ongoing Ebola outbreak as a public health risk.
Ebola Shadows Congo's World Cup Preparations
Mayor Juan Carlos González explained that the decision was taken to avoid any potential spread of the virus, and the city’s authorities have refused to grant the necessary authorization for the fixture.
Congo’s football federation is now scrambling to arrange alternative preparations, reaching out to the Spanish football federation and other international bodies to secure a suitable replacement.
The team has already called off a three‑day training camp in Kinshasa and a fan‑farewell event that was meant to celebrate the historic World Cup qualification, both moves linked to the health crisis in the country’s eastern provinces.
All of the squad members and French coach Sébastien Desabre are currently based outside the DRC, most of them playing in French leagues, which adds another layer of complexity to the logistics of regrouping for the tournament.
FIFA officials have confirmed they are closely monitoring the Ebola situation and maintaining regular contact with Congolese officials to ensure that the team’s participation in the global tournament proceeds safely.
The nation’s recent qualification for the World Cup, its first since 1974, sparked jubilant scenes across a country long plagued by conflict, underscoring the symbolic importance of the team’s upcoming matches.