Congo Cancel World Cup Send-Off Camp in Kinshasa Amid Ebola Outbreak

Posted : 21 May 2026

Congo have cancelled a planned three-day World Cup preparation camp and farewell event in Kinshasa following a deadly Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the country. Authorities confirmed that the team’s preparations will continue outside the nation as health concerns escalate.

The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has reportedly caused more than 130 deaths and nearly 600 suspected infections. The World Health Organization has classified the situation as a public health emergency of international concern.

Despite the cancellation of the Kinshasa phase, Congo’s scheduled warmup matches in Europe will proceed as planned. The national team is set to face Denmark in Liege, Belgium, on June 3 before taking on Chile in southern Spain on June 9.

Team spokesman Jerry Kalemo explained that only the local preparation stage was scrapped. According to him, the squad will continue preparations in Belgium and Spain before heading to Houston, United States, from June 11 for the final phase of training ahead of the tournament.

Most members of the Congolese squad, including French coach Sébastien Desabre, are based abroad, mainly in France. Kalemo also confirmed that staff members still in Congo were preparing to leave the country immediately.

FIFA said it is closely monitoring the Ebola situation and remains in communication with the Congolese Football Association to ensure players and officials receive updated medical and security guidance.

Meanwhile, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced a temporary 30-day restriction on foreign nationals entering the country if they had recently been in Congo, Uganda or South Sudan. However, a U.S. official indicated that the Congolese national team would not be impacted because the squad has been training in Europe for several weeks.

Any delegation members who recently returned to Congo could still face quarantine protocols similar to those imposed on returning U.S. citizens. The exception does not extend to supporters from Congo hoping to travel to the World Cup.

The White House World Cup task force stated that it is working alongside health and security agencies while continuing to monitor developments surrounding the outbreak.

Congo secured qualification for their first World Cup since 1974 after winning a playoff tournament in Mexico. Drawn in Group K, the Leopards will open their campaign against Portugal in Houston on June 17.

They will then play Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23 before concluding the group stage against Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27.

The team’s return to the World Cup has been a major source of pride across Congo, marking their first appearance at the tournament since competing as Zaire in 1974 after decades of political instability and conflict.

Congo Cancel World Cup Send-Off Camp in Kinshasa Amid Ebola Outbreak

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