The Democratic Republic of Congo’s national team has been compelled to scrap World Cup warm-up activities scheduled in Kinshasa as the Ebola outbreak continues to spread, with preparations now set to continue in Belgium, a team spokesperson said.
Schedule changed after travel curbs
- The squad had planned a fan-facing training session and a send-off ceremony involving President Félix Tshisekedi on Monday as they build toward the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
- The plan was altered after U.S. travel restrictions were introduced in response to the outbreak, with the team told the changes were necessary.
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has barred entry for people holding non-U.S. passports who have been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days.
- As a result, all team personnel stationed in DR Congo must leave the country by Thursday so they can travel to the United States without those restrictions, while the team expects to reach the U.S. on June 10 or 11.
Team manager Dodo Landu played down the disruption to the overall programme, saying the window in Kinshasa was limited. He said the event planned for May 25 will proceed as scheduled but will be held in Brussels rather than in Kinshasa.
For the tournament itself, Congo will base their operations in Houston, Texas. The full group of players, announced on Monday, is drawn from clubs outside DR Congo, with most of the squad attached to teams in Europe.
Local authorities in Texas said on Wednesday that they are coordinating with the U.S. CDC, FIFA and health officials in the region to protect the wellbeing of teams, spectators and residents.
World Cup group fixtures
DR Congo begin their World Cup campaign against Portugal in Houston, before facing Colombia in Guadalajara. They then conclude their group stage against Uzbekistan in Atlanta.
As of Wednesday, the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo had recorded 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths.
