Ebola Disrupts DR Congo’s Preparation for the 2026 World Cup

The training camp, initially scheduled to take place in Kinshasa, has been canceled and relocated to Belgium, according to media sources.

A New Outbreak of the Virus Raises Concerns

Last week, Congolese health authorities announced a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in the eastern part of the country. This virus causes a hemorrhagic fever that is often fatal.

This outbreak, the 17th recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is believed to have resulted in 139 deaths among approximately 600 suspected cases reported to date.

A Decision Lacking Official Confirmation

An official from the national team indicated that the camp, originally planned to last three days in Kinshasa, has been moved to Belgium, although there has been no official confirmation establishing a direct link between this decision and the spread of the virus.

This situation arises as African teams continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.