DR Congo will not change World Cup preparations despite US Ebola warning
DR Congo Football Federation (FECOFA) Secretary-General Belge Ndaye said the team's World Cup preparations will continue as scheduled despite a US State Department advisory recommending 'rigorous health screening' for the DRC national squad. The team plays Mali in Doha on 28 May and Belgium in Marseille on 1 June; the FIFA medical advisory board has approved the preparation plan.
DR Congo Football Federation (FECOFA) Secretary-General Belge Ndaye announced at an extraordinary press conference in Kinshasa on Friday that the team's preparation schedule will not change despite a US State Department advisory recommending 'rigorous health screening and 14 days of supervised quarantine for DRC national team members' due to the Ituri Province Ebola outbreak. Ndaye said '22 of our 26 players are currently active in European clubs. None of our players are based in Ituri or in any contact-risk zone.'
FIFA Medical Advisory Board Chair Dr Andrew Massey said in a Friday Zurich statement that the DRC preparation plan 'meets WHO and Africa CDC standards and presents no risk to players.' US Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Dr Steven Stahl defended the advisory, saying 'This strict screening protocol is required for the safety of tournament hosting.' Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said 'a balanced approach between sport and public health is required.' FECOFA, FIFA and Africa CDC have agreed on a joint pre-departure PCR-testing protocol.
DR Congo's national team plays Mali in Doha on 28 May and Belgium in Marseille on 1 June, then opens its 2026 World Cup campaign against the Netherlands at Toronto's BMO Field on 13 June 2026. Estimated DRC tournament revenue of $28 million in media-rights value corresponds to approximately 0.4% of the country's gross national income. Team Head Coach Sebastian Desabre will announce the squad on Friday 26 May. This article is not investment or medical advice; please follow the recommendations of public-health authorities.
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