DR Congo cancels World Cup training camp over Ebola outbreak

Wedaeli ChibelushiThu, May 21, 2026 at 9:05 AM UTC

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DR Congo have qualified for the Fifa World Cup for the first time since 1974

The Democratic Republic of Congo has cancelled its pre-World Cup training camp in the capital, Kinshasa, because of an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country.

Preparations have been moved to Belgium amid the upsurge, which is thought to have killed 139 people out of 600 suspected cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern", but said it was not at pandemic level.

Jerry Kalemo, a spokesperson for the national football team, told international media that pre-tournament games in Europe would go ahead as planned, as the squad gears up for their first World Cup since 1974.

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DR Congo are due to play friendly matches against Denmark, on 3 June in Liege, and Chile, on 9 June in Marbella, ahead of the World Cup finals.

Back at home, authorities will be occupied with attempts to contain the Ebola outbreak, which has been caused by a rare species known as Bundibugyo.

There is currently no vaccine for this species and the WHO has said it could take up to nine months for a jab to be ready.

What is Ebola and why is stopping the latest outbreak so difficult?

'Ebola has tortured us': Fear grips eastern DR Congo as deadly virus spreads

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Source: “AOL Sports”