DR Congo friendly cancelled in Spain as Ebola concerns disrupt World Cup preparations
Local authorities in La Linea de la Concepcion have called off the scheduled fixture against Chile, adding to logistical challenges for the DR Congo squad ahead of their first World Cup appearance in nearly half a century.
The pre-World Cup friendly between DR Congo and Chile, scheduled for 9 June in La Linea de la Concepcion, Spain, has been cancelled following advice from local health officials regarding the ongoing Ebola outbreak. The decision was formalised by Mayor Juan Franco, who signed a decree preventing the match from proceeding in the Spanish coastal city.
Franco cited a report from the head of the mayoralty’s health service, which advised categorically against hosting the fixture due to potential health risks. Local and regional authorities determined that the public health threat outweighed the sporting benefits for the region, effectively halting the final warm-up match for both DR Congo and Chile.
The cancellation compounds existing logistical difficulties for DR Congo, who are managing complex travel and health protocols ahead of their return to the global stage. The squad had already relocated their training base from Kinshasa to Belgium after cancelling a planned camp in their home country due to the outbreak. They remain based in Belgium, where they are scheduled to play Denmark in Liege before proceeding to the tournament.
Health officials have identified the Bundibugyo species of Ebola as the strain involved in the outbreak. This is a rarer variant for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists. While the players themselves have not recently visited DR Congo, some support staff and travelling fans have made the journey from the country, raising further concerns among local authorities.
Complicating matters further, the United States has introduced entry restrictions for non-US citizens who have visited DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days. This policy creates a significant logistical hurdle for DR Congo, who plan to base themselves in Houston for their World Cup opener against Portugal on 17 June. The team is also scheduled to face Colombia in Guadalajara and Uzbekistan in Atlanta during the group stage.
The disruption highlights the fragility of tournament planning in the face of public health emergencies. DR Congo’s preparations for their first World Cup appearance in nearly half a century are now marked by a series of cancellations and travel restrictions, forcing the squad to navigate an increasingly complex operational landscape before the tournament begins.
