Omanghana
The Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA) has confirmed that the Democratic Republic of Congo will not change its travel or training schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite newly imposed United States emergency travel restrictions linked to an Ebola outbreak.
Football officials stated that the national team, popularly known as the Leopards, will continue preparations as planned ahead of the tournament next month, insisting that the squad is operating under a tightly controlled medical and security framework.
According to federation officials, all travel itineraries, training camps, and pre-tournament warm-up activities remain unchanged.
The federation emphasized that disrupting preparations at this stage could negatively affect the team’s tactical readiness, concentration, and morale as DR Congo prepares for its historic return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 52 years.
Team management reportedly believes maintaining stability is critical as the players prepare for one of the biggest moments in the country’s football history.
FECOFA disclosed that the national team delegation is undergoing continuous medical screenings and strict health monitoring protocols.
The federation said it is working closely with experts from the World Health Organization alongside team doctors and medical staff to ensure that players, coaches, and officials remain completely unaffected by the ongoing regional Ebola situation.
Officials stressed that the squad is effectively operating inside a medically supervised isolation bubble designed to minimize all potential health risks.
The federation’s announcement follows a 30-day emergency travel order issued by the United States restricting entry for foreign nationals traveling from or through the Democratic Republic of Congo due to an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
The restrictions recently gained international attention after a Detroit-bound Air France flight was diverted to Canada when a Congolese passenger mistakenly boarded under the new travel controls.
Despite the heightened restrictions, sports authorities remain confident that the official national team delegation will face no major entry complications.
FECOFA officials indicated that the Leopards are expected to travel under special arrangements as an official state delegation with comprehensive medical clearances and federal documentation.
The team is also expected to transit through designated U.S. health-screening airports established for enhanced monitoring and public health control.
Authorities believe these protocols will allow the delegation to enter tournament venues smoothly while complying fully with international health regulations.
The Leopards are set to compete in a highly anticipated group stage campaign in North America:
- Matchday 1: DR Congo vs Germany — June 16, 2026
- Matchday 2: DR Congo vs South Korea — June 21, 2026
- Matchday 3: DR Congo vs Colombia — June 25, 2026
Football fans across the country are expected to closely follow the team’s preparations as DR Congo seeks to make a strong impression on its long-awaited return to the global stage.
Source: Omanghana
