JAKARTA – The friendly match ahead of the 2026 World Cup between the Democratic Republic of Congo against Chile, which was supposed to be played in Spain, has been canceled due to health concerns related to the Ebola outbreak in the African country.
La Linea de la Concepcion in southern Spain, near the border with Gibraltar, is scheduled to host the match on June 9, 2026 at the 10,000-seat stadium in the city.
However, the mayor of La Linea, Juan Franco, said on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, local time, that he was forced to postpone the match as a precaution after receiving a recommendation from the local government’s health service.
“I have signed a decree prohibiting the organization of the match between Congo vs Chile. The report from the head of the health services of the City of La Linea strongly advises against holding the match given the possible health risks,” said Juan Franco.
Meanwhile, the Spanish news agency, EFE, reported that Chile had asked that the match remain without spectators. However, the request was still rejected.
On the other hand, the Democratic Republic of Congo are appearing at their first World Cup since 1974 – when they played as Zaire – but their preparations have been disrupted by an Ebola outbreak in their country.
In May 2026, they canceled a three-day training camp and planned farewell events for fans in the capital Kinshasa due to an outbreak in the country’s east.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a public health emergency of international concern.
As of May 27, 2026, the WHO said there were a total of 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to a rare type of Ebola known as bundibugyo, which has also spread to Uganda.
Since canceling plans to prepare in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the team has been training in Belgium, where they are scheduled to play against Denmark in Liege on Thursday, June 4, 2026 WIB.
Meanwhile, a report by ESPN last month, Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup, said that Congo had to isolate itself for 21 days or risk losing the ability to enter the United States (US) for the 2026 World Cup.
Giuliani said the US had told FIFA, the Congolese national team, and the Congolese government that the team should maintain a “bubble” (safe zone) in Belgium.
“We have been very clear to Congo that they must maintain the integrity of their bubble for 21 days before they can come to Houston on June 11, 2026.”
“We have also made it very clear to the Government of the Congo that they need to keep that bubble or they risk not being able to travel to the United States. We can’t be clearer,” said Giuliani.
Congo is scheduled to play the first match of the 2026 World Cup in Houston on June 17, 2026 against Portugal.
They will then face Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 24, 2026, before facing Uzbekistan again in the US, specifically in Atlanta on June 28, 2026.
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