The Democratic Republic of Congo’s national football team has been cleared to participate in the upcoming World Cup after complying with U.S. health protocols related to the Ebola outbreak. The tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, had initially raised concerns due to the Ebola situation in the DRC.
Health and Safety Compliance
DRC’s football federation, FECOFA, and FIFA confirmed that the team has adhered to all necessary health and safety protocols. This includes cancelling a training camp in Kinshasa and relocating their preparations abroad. Most of the team members are based in Europe, minimizing direct exposure to the Ebola virus. Staff members who left Kinshasa earlier this month will complete a 21-day isolation period in Europe before traveling to the U.S., in line with American health guidelines.
Yvette Kapinga Ngandu, DRC Ambassador to the United States, praised the swift actions taken by FECOFA and FIFA, stating, “The Leopards are ready, they are safe, and I have no doubt that the United States will embrace this team.”
Challenges and Preparations
The World Health Organization had recently warned of a “very high” risk of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola spreading within the DRC, with over 1,000 suspected cases and 246 suspected deaths reported. Despite these challenges, DRC’s Sports Minister Didier Budimbu emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the team’s safety and readiness for competition.
However, there are ongoing concerns regarding fans who have secured World Cup tickets but face difficulties obtaining U.S. visas due to administrative restrictions. Discussions with FIFA are underway to address potential refunds for affected fans.
The Congolese team, marking their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, will be based in Houston. They are set to open their Group K campaign against Portugal on June 17, followed by matches against Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23 and Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
