Why DR Congo's Final World Cup Tune-Up Will Be Played Without Fans

Why DR Congo's Final World Cup Tune-Up Will Be Played Without Fans

By Admin 

DR Congo's final preparatory match ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played behind closed doors following concerns surrounding the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the country, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The friendly fixture against Chile is scheduled for Tuesday in Orléans, France, with kick-off set for 16:00 BST. The match was originally planned to take place in Cádiz, Spain, but local authorities intervened after the city's mayor issued a decree preventing the game from being staged there as a precautionary health measure.

The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny over the Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo, which has been linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus. Health authorities have indicated that no approved vaccine currently exists for this variant, and the World Health Organization estimates it could take several months before a vaccine becomes available.

As part of health protocols ahead of the World Cup, host nation the United States requires all players and officials travelling from DR Congo to remain outside the country for at least 21 days and show no symptoms before being granted entry.

Sources indicate that none of DR Congo's players, all of whom are based at clubs outside their home country, have recently travelled to DR Congo. However, some members of the support staff and supporters have arrived from the country in recent weeks.

The Leopards are currently completing their tournament preparations in Marbella, Spain, following a 10-day training camp in Belgium, where they played out a goalless draw against Denmark.

DR Congo will make its first World Cup appearance in more than five decades, having last competed at the tournament in 1974 under the name Zaire. On that occasion, the team exited at the group stage after defeats to Scotland, Brazil and Yugoslavia.

The Congolese side plans to establish its tournament base in Houston and will begin its Group K campaign against Portugal on June 17. They will then travel to Guadalajara, Mexico, to face Colombia before returning to the United States for their final group-stage fixture against Uzbekistan in Atlanta.