The Democratic Republic of Congo has cancelled its planned pre-World Cup training camp in Kinshasa because of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the country’s east, disrupting preparations for the nation’s first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1974. The team confirmed the decision ahead of its scheduled public training session in the capital.

Congolese football authorities said the Leopards will now hold their preparations in Belgium instead of Kinshasa, where fans and President Félix Tshisekedi had been expected to attend an open training event.

The squad’s friendly matches against Denmark and Chile are still expected to go ahead in Europe before the tournament begins in June.

The move comes as the Ebola outbreak continues to spread beyond its original epicentre in Ituri province.

According to the World Health Organization, the outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern, although officials say it has not reached pandemic status.

The United States, which is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, has also imposed temporary health-related travel restrictions linked to Ebola exposure in DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. The restrictions complicated plans for team staff and supporters travelling from Congo ahead of the tournament.

Health officials are particularly concerned because the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine. Reuters previously reported that WHO emergency supplies were being rushed into affected regions as authorities struggled to contain the spread across eastern Congo.

The situation has also triggered concerns among journalists and football supporters in Kinshasa after the US embassy paused some visa services linked to the outbreak response. Critics argue that the capital remains far from the outbreak zones concentrated in eastern provinces.

The Leopards are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against Portugal in Houston on 17 June, marking DR Congo’s long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage after more than five decades.