The Democratic Republic of Congo’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered another setback on Tuesday as the team lost 2-1 to Chile in a friendly match played behind closed doors in France.
The warm-up fixture was originally scheduled to take place in southern Spain. However, the mayor of the host city declined to stage the match due to concerns surrounding the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As a result, the game was relocated to Orleans, France, where it was played without spectators.
The disruption comes amid growing international concern over the Ebola outbreak, which was first reported on May 15 in northeastern DR Congo. The World Health Organization has since declared the situation an international health emergency.
The outbreak has already affected the Congolese national team’s preparations for the tournament. Last month, the squad cancelled a planned pre-World Cup training camp in their home country as authorities and team officials sought to minimise potential risks linked to the health crisis.
Despite the challenges, DR Congo is preparing for a historic return to the FIFA World Cup. The nation will make its first appearance at the tournament since 1974, when it competed under the name Zaire.
The Congolese side has been drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. Matches in the group will be played in the United States and Mexico.
Meanwhile, the United States has introduced travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola. Under the measures, non-American citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo within the previous 21 days are barred from entering the country.
However, the restrictions are not expected to affect the Congolese squad. The team has been based in Europe for several weeks and therefore falls outside the scope of the travel ban.
With the World Cup fast approaching, DR Congo will be hoping to put off-field distractions behind them and focus on making a strong impression in their long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.
