Spanish mayor cancels DR Congo World Cup friendly over Ebola outbreak, citing health risks
The mayor of La Línea de la Concepción banned a 9 June warm-up match between DR Congo and Chile, following health service warnings about the Ebola outbreak in the African nation.
Match cancelled by mayoral decree
A pre-World Cup friendly between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile, scheduled for 9 June in the southern Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción, has been cancelled. Mayor Juan Franco signed a decree on 2 June prohibiting the match at the municipal stadium, describing the move as a matter of "health prudence." The decision followed recommendations from the Andalusia regional government's health service and a report from the head of the municipality's own health service, which "categorically advised against" hosting the game due to potential health risks.
I have signed the decree banning the holding of the June 9 match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile.
Franco expressed regret, acknowledging the match was an attraction for the city of 65,000 residents near the Gibraltar border, but said the documentation provided did not justify that there were no risks.
Ebola outbreak context
The Ebola outbreak was declared in mid-May in Ituri province, in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization has declared a state of emergency. According to reports, 670 cases and 160 deaths have been recorded, though one source cites over 900 cases and 200 suspected deaths. The WHO has also reported seven cases and one death in neighbouring Uganda.
- Ebola outbreak declared in Ituri province, DR Congo
- US authorities announce 21-day isolation requirement for DR Congo squad
- Mexico restricts entry for travellers from DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan
- Mayor of La Línea de la Concepción bans DR Congo vs Chile friendly
- DR Congo vs Denmark friendly scheduled in Liège, Belgium
- Original date for cancelled DR Congo vs Chile friendly in Spain
- World Cup Group K: DR Congo vs Portugal in Houston, US
- World Cup Group K: DR Congo vs Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico
- World Cup Group K: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan in Atlanta, US
DR Congo's disrupted World Cup preparations
The Congolese national team, nicknamed the Leopards, had already altered their pre-tournament plans because of the outbreak. A training camp scheduled to take place at home was cancelled, and the squad relocated to Belgium instead. They are set to play a friendly against Denmark in Liège, Belgium, on Wednesday 3 June. Head coach Sébastien Desabre said the team is following FIFA-mandated protocols and that doctors are in contact with the governing body.
We are following the guidelines prescribed by FIFA. The doctors are in contact with FIFA. Honestly, we are having a completely normal training camp like our other camps.
Entry restrictions from World Cup hosts
The United States, a co-host of the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, has imposed isolation requirements. Andrew Giuliani, the White House World Cup coordinator, said all squad members must isolate in a "bubble" for 21 days before being allowed to enter the US. Mexico also restricted entry on Saturday for people who have been in Uganda, DR Congo, or South Sudan in the preceding 21 days.
Group K schedule ahead
DR Congo, appearing at their first World Cup since 1974 (when they competed as Zaire), plan to base themselves in Houston. Their Group K fixtures begin against Portugal in Houston on 17 June. They then travel to Guadalajara, Mexico, to face Colombia on 24 June (one source lists 23 June), before returning to the US to play tournament debutant Uzbekistan in Atlanta on 28 June (one source lists 27 June).
