The Democratic Republic of Congo have been forced to relocate their pre-World Cup preparations to Belgium after an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country triggered entry restrictions from the United States, one of this summer's three host nations.

The Congolese football federation had planned a high-profile training camp in the capital, Kinshasa, an event that was expected to draw substantial public interest and had even been pencilled in for attendance by President Felix Tshisekedi. Those plans have now been shelved entirely.

US travel restrictions force the change

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has barred entry to non-American nationals who have been present in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days. With DR Congo scheduled to play their opening World Cup group fixture in Houston on 17 June against Portugal, the restrictions made a domestic training camp wholly unworkable for anyone hoping to enter the United States to participate in the tournament.

Jerry Kalemo, a spokesperson for the national team, confirmed to the Associated Press that some staff members who had been based in DR Congo left the country on Wednesday, moving ahead of the 21-day deadline to ensure their eligibility to travel to the US. Crucially, all of DR Congo's players — as well as their French head coach, Sébastien Desabre — are already based outside the country, meaning none of them are directly affected by the travel ban now that the domestic camp has been cancelled.

Kalemo also confirmed that previously arranged friendly matches in Europe will proceed as planned. DR Congo face Denmark on 3 June in Belgium and Chile on 9 June in Spain as final preparatory fixtures before the finals get under way.

A historic World Cup appearance under a dark shadow

The logistical disruption comes at what should be a landmark moment for Congolese football. DR Congo have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974, and anticipation inside the country has been considerable. The sight of a high-profile training camp being cancelled — and replaced with a low-key European base far from their home supporters — is a deflating footnote to what ought to be a period of national celebration.

The Ebola outbreak itself is centred on the Ituri province in the east of the country, approximately 1,800 kilometres from Kinshasa. The capital has reported no confirmed cases. That geographical distance has done little to calm international concern, however. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, while stopping short of classifying it at pandemic level.

As of Wednesday, the WHO reported that 139 people were thought to have died from 600 suspected cases, though Congolese health minister Samuel Roger Kamba told state broadcaster RTNC that the death toll registered by authorities had reached 159. The outbreak has been caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, a rare strain for which no approved vaccine currently exists. The WHO has indicated a vaccine could take up to nine months to develop.

Football in the context of a crisis

It would be easy to view the disruption purely through the lens of sporting inconvenience, but the wider picture is considerably grimmer. Hundreds of families in eastern DR Congo are living through an active health emergency with no vaccine on the horizon. The football team's situation is manageable; the communities affected by the virus face something far more serious.

What DR Congo's squad can do is represent their country with purpose when they take to the pitch in Houston next month. A first World Cup appearance in over half a century deserves to be remembered for what happens on the field. The preparations may look different from what was planned, but the mission remains unchanged.

Frequently asked

Why have DR Congo cancelled their World Cup training camp?
DR Congo cancelled their planned training camp in Kinshasa because the United States — one of the 2026 World Cup host nations — has banned entry to non-Americans who have been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days, due to an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country. Preparations have been moved to Belgium instead.
When do DR Congo play at the 2026 World Cup?
DR Congo's first match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on 17 June against Portugal in Houston, United States. It will be their first World Cup appearance since 1974.
How serious is the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo?
The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. As of late May 2025, the WHO reported 139 deaths from around 600 suspected cases, though Congolese authorities put the death toll higher at 159. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine currently exists.