The Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team has canceled its World Cup training camp and farewell event in Kinshasa due to the worsening Ebola outbreak in the country, which was recently declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization.
The Leopards, preparing for their first FIFA World Cup appearance in more than 50 years, will now hold training camps in Europe, including friendly matches in Belgium and Spain, before traveling to Houston, USA.
Health authorities say the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has caused more than 130 suspected deaths and hundreds of suspected cases in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and concerns about cross-border spread have increased following the detection of cases in Uganda. The outbreak has also led to stricter international travel measures and increased health screenings for travelers from the affected regions.
Despite the disruption, FIFA and global health authorities confirmed that the team's participation in the World Cup is still on, with strict medical controls, travel authorizations, and safety protocols for players and officials.