DR Congo cancel World Cup training camp in Kinshasa over Ebola outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo has canceled its national football team's World Cup training camp in the capital Kinshasa, along with a planned public send-off, due to an escalating Ebola outbreak. The decision threatens to derail the team's preparations for their first World Cup appearance in over five decades.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's football federation announced the cancellation of the Leopards' training camp in Kinshasa and the associated public send-off event, citing the growing Ebola outbreak in the city. The outbreak, which has seen dozens of confirmed cases in recent weeks, prompted authorities to suspend all large public gatherings to prevent further spread. The team was scheduled to depart for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico later this month.

DRC qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 (when the country was known as Zaire) after a dramatic playoff victory in March 2026. The qualification sparked nationwide celebrations, with the government planning a major send-off ceremony at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. However, the resurgence of Ebola—a deadly viral hemorrhagic fever—has forced health officials to recommend against mass gatherings. The outbreak is believed to have originated in a rural area but has spread to Kinshasa, a city of over 15 million people, raising fears of a major health crisis.

Key details include the cancellation of a 10-day training camp scheduled to begin May 25, as well as the cancellation of the public send-off event planned for May 23. About 5,000 fans were expected to attend. The team will now hold a closed-door training session at a undisclosed location before flying to their pre-tournament base in Florida. The Congolese government has not yet confirmed alternative arrangements. Health officials have reported 47 confirmed Ebola cases and 19 deaths in the Kinshasa region since early May 2026, according to the Ministry of Health. The World Health Organization has deployed a response team but has not yet declared a public health emergency of international concern.

This decision highlights the continuing vulnerability of major sporting events to infectious disease outbreaks, especially in regions with weak healthcare infrastructure. Unlike COVID-19, which disrupted the 2020 Olympics and other events, Ebola is more deadly but less transmissible. Nevertheless, the cancellation could adversely affect team morale and cohesion, as the players will miss valuable practice time and the psychological boost of a fan send-off. Experts note that the team's chances in a tough Group H—featuring Brazil, Portugal, and Australia—may now be further diminished.

Moving forward, the DRC football federation is expected to announce revised training plans within days. The government is under pressure to balance public health safety with national pride. The team's first World Cup match against Brazil is scheduled for June 15 in Miami. If the Ebola outbreak worsens, the team could face quarantine restrictions upon arrival in the United States. All eyes will be on the WHO's next assessment of the outbreak, due within two weeks.