DR Congo Football Team Cleared to Compete in World Cup

Football officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced on Wednesday that the national team, along with support staff, can comply with all necessary public health measures to partake in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. This event is set to kick off on June 11 and will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Traveling to the U.S. and Canada for the tournament, however, has its hurdles. Both countries have imposed restrictions on travelers coming from the DRC and nearby nations like South Sudan and Uganda due to a persistent Ebola outbreak in rural DRC. This virus is known for causing severe symptoms like fever and, in many cases, can be fatal. Currently, a variant known as Ebola Bundibugyo is circulating in the DRC, with a concerning mortality rate between 30 and 50%.

As of Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 906 suspected cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, primarily in the Ituri region, along with 223 fatalities. Interestingly, Ituri is notorious for its violence, with various gangs involved in conflicts and illegal mining operations affecting local communities.

Moreover, there’s a significant challenge in combating the outbreak. Many Ituri residents are skeptical about the reality of Ebola, some even citing international aid workers as a threat, falsely claiming they were responsible for deaths during the “epidemic.” This distrust has resulted in violent incidents at health facilities—angry mobs have attacked hospitals, released quarantined Ebola patients, and disrupted efforts to contain the virus.

The Congo Football Association (FECOFA) reported on Wednesday that they are now capable of testing travelers for Ebola, following the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. and Canada. This compliance is somewhat easier as most players on the national team have been playing outside the DRC, many based in Europe, meaning the travel restrictions effectively don’t apply to them.

The team had intended to conduct training in Kinshasa but had to cancel those plans to ensure they could adhere to travel protocols. Some support staff were indeed based in DRC but managed to leave the country on May 20, allowing them time to comply with a required observation period before entering the U.S.

According to reports, FECOFA president Belong Mosengo Omba assured FIFA officials of their readiness to participate in the World Cup—an event of great significance in the sports world.

This will be a historic moment for DRC, marking their first World Cup appearance in 52 years. Back in 1974, Zaire, the predecessor of DRC, was the first sub-Saharan African nation to qualify for the tournament.

DRC coach Sebastien Desabres expressed a mix of pride and responsibility regarding their participation, emphasizing the need to represent both the team and the nation positively. He acknowledged the support from Congolese fans throughout their qualification journey, promising to do their best to make everyone proud.

The DRC’s opening match is scheduled against Portugal on June 17 at a venue in Houston. They will compete in Group K alongside Uzbekistan and Colombia as they aim for a place in the final rounds.

Yvette Kapinga Gandu, the DRC Ambassador to the U.S., commended the team for their maturity and sense of responsibility in light of the challenges they’ve faced. She highlighted the readiness and safety of the team and expressed confidence that American fans would welcome them warmly.

Mosengo-Omba noted to the media that the players have likely not been exposed to the Ebola crisis directly, as many were far from the outbreak’s center. He reassured, “Ebola is in rural parts of Ituri. Just because someone is from DRC doesn’t mean they’re at risk.” He further stated that the DRC has considerable experience dealing with the virus, asserting that there’s little for the world to fear from the situation.

Despite their approval to compete, Congolese fans wishing to travel to the U.S. or Canada still face travel restrictions, making it difficult for them to support their team live. This week, the Congolese government formally requested FIFA to consider refunding ticket costs affected by these restrictions.

“Tickets can be quite pricey, so we asked FIFA to take this into account,” Mosengo-Omba explained. “It’s disappointing for fans who wish to support their team. We love football and want every passionate supporter to have that opportunity.”