DR Congo Ensures Health Measures Ahead of 2026 World Cup Amid Ebola Concerns

Didier Budimbu Ntumbwanga, the Minister of Sports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, emphasized that the country’s authorities are fully committed to the necessary health guidelines and protocols to ensure the national team’s participation in the 2026 World Cup without any issues. This commitment comes amid growing concerns regarding the spread of the Ebola virus in the region.

His remarks followed a series of challenges faced by the Congolese team’s preparations, notably a change in venue for their friendly match against Chile. The game ended in a 2-1 defeat for the “Lions” on Tuesday evening, held behind closed doors in Orleans, France, despite initially being scheduled to take place in Spain.

The match relocation was due to a decision by local authorities in La Línea de la Concepción, southern Spain, who declined to host it over health concerns linked to the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries.

Ntumbwanga explained that adjustments had been made to the team’s training program to adhere to approved health recommendations, noting that plans for a training camp in Kinshasa were ultimately abandoned as part of precautionary measures taken by the federation and relevant authorities.

The minister expressed his surprise at Spain’s decision, asserting that most players do not play their football within Congo but rather with clubs across various leagues abroad, rendering concerns about them unfounded from his perspective.

He added that applying such reasoning would necessitate similar actions against numerous sports activities and international events involving other nations, highlighting that players participate in competitions alongside athletes from diverse nationalities without facing comparable restrictions.

The World Health Organization previously declared an international public health emergency following over 500 confirmed cases of Ebola and numerous related fatalities.

Regarding participation in the World Cup, the Congolese sports minister expressed optimism about avoiding any administrative or logistical hurdles upon the team’s arrival in the United States. He noted that members of the coaching staff residing in Kinshasa have already completed their visa application processes.

The Congolese national team is set to kick off its World Cup journey with a challenging match against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, USA, under the guidance of French head coach Sébastien Desabre.