DR Congo team has 'no change' in World Cup plans despite Ebola crisis
The head of the World Cup host committee in Houston, where the DR Congo will hold base camp and play its first game, said there's no change in plans.
The Democratic Republic of Congo national team still plans to travel to the United States this summer to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite concerns over the nation's Ebola crisis, which FIFA and American health officials continue to monitor. The head of the World Cup host committee in Houston, where DR Congo is holding base camp and scheduled to play its first match of the tournament, said on Tuesday, May 19 that there is "no change" in plans. Chris Canetti, president of Houston's World Cup host committee, wrote in a text message to USA TODAY Sports: "As you can imagine, we are taking advisement from FIFA and health officials on this.
As of now, there are no change in plans. The team arrival date is scheduled for June 11. " DR Congo is in Group K and scheduled to play group stage games against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, Colombia on June 23 in Guadalajara, and Uzbekistan on June 27 in Atlanta.
The DR Congo team will train at SaberCats Stadium in Houston. The World Health Organization has declared an international public health emergency over an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which has killed at least 80 people with hundreds of suspected cases in DR Congo. On May 18, the CDC issued travel restrictions intended to prevent the Ebola virus from entering the United States.
While it seems unlikely that fans will be allowed to travel to the U. S. from the DR Congo for the World Cup, it's unclear how the travel restrictions will affect Leopards players, coaches and staff.