'Ebola Outbreak' World Cup Qualifiers Face Major Crisis: Over 130 Confirmed Deaths... Departure Ceremony Also Abandoned

*This content was translated by AI.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean are engulfed in fear of the Ebola virus. The Democratic Republic of Congo, which will appear on the World Cup stage for the first time in 52 years, has abruptly canceled its World Cup departure ceremony and local training camp due to the spread of Ebola within the country and the impact of entry restrictions imposed by the U.S. government.

Foreign media outlets, including the UK's 'BBC' and 'The Guardian', reported on the 21st (Korean time) that "Congo has abruptly canceled a three-day World Cup preparation training camp and a departure ceremony for fans, which were scheduled to take place in the capital Kinshasa, due to the spread of the Ebola virus in the eastern region."

According to local reports, as a result of this incident, Congo has abandoned even a large-scale farewell event that was to be held with President Felix Tshisekedi and numerous home fans in attendance, and is now immediately heading to Europe to proceed with the remaining schedule. Both FIFA and the host nation, the United States, are confirmed to be closely monitoring Congo's recent situation.

The situation in Congo is quite serious. According to 'The Guardian', among approximately 600 suspected cases of virus infection, more than 130 people have died so far. The World Health Organization has declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

The biggest obstacle was the United States' sudden ban on entry, which will co-host the World Cup with Canada and Mexico this summer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced a 30-day total ban on entry for non-citizens who have visited Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days in response to the Ebola outbreak.

Fortunately, the Congo squad is expected to face no major disruptions in competing in the World Cup finals. This is because the 26th-player final roster and coaching staff, led by coach Sebastien Desabre, including players such as Yawene Wissa, Noah Sadiki, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, are composed of players based in overseas leagues such as in France. These players have not visited their home country in the past three weeks and are therefore excluded from the U.S. entry restrictions. Some coaching staff who were staying in the country are also reported to have urgently departed just before the report to avoid the U.S. 21-day restriction criteria.

However, Congo will face a lonely battle in the World Cup. A U.S. government official stated, "Congo players who have completed their overseas training camps will be allowed entry, but the entry ban will apply without exception to general fans attempting to depart from their home country."

FIFA also released a statement saying, "We are closely monitoring and tracking the Ebola outbreak situation" and "We are in close communication with the Congo Football Association and are supporting the squad to ensure they are fully aware of all medical and safety guidelines."

Having canceled its domestic schedule during the preparation phase for the finals, Congo will proceed with the remaining schedule in Belgium and Spain. After playing a friendly match against Denmark in Liège, Belgium, on June 3, it will face Chile in southern Spain on June 9. As a member of Group K, Congo is scheduled to play its first group stage match against Portugal in Houston, USA, on June 17, followed by matches against Colombia and Uzbekistan in sequence.

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*This content was translated by AI.