Spanish town cancels DR Congo World Cup friendly over Ebola fears, coach proposes closed-door alternative

A local decree blocks the match

The mayor of La Línea de la Concepción, Juan Franco, signed a decree on Tuesday withdrawing municipal authorisation for the friendly scheduled for 9 June at the Ciudad de La Línea stadium. The decision followed unfavourable reports from municipal health services and the regional government of Andalusia. Franco told El País that he had requested information from the national Foreign Health department but received no reply.

I asked Foreign Health for information and they haven't answered me.

The municipality had initially received the event notification in proper form, but the situation changed when news of the Ebola epidemic in DR Congo emerged. The decree, seen by El País, notes that on 29 May the council requested specialised technical support from the Subdirectorate General of Foreign Health to assess the sanitary safety conditions linked to the international travel of the Congolese squad.

Health authorities cite missing data

The municipal resolution leans heavily on a report issued Tuesday by the Directorate General of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Regulation of the Andalusian regional government. That report stated that regional authorities still lacked essential information to complete a comprehensive risk assessment for the planned sporting event, including an evaluation from the Ministry of Health and detailed data on the composition and health monitoring of the Congolese delegation. The local health service chief also recommended against holding the match due to possible health risks.

Coach Desabre insists the game can go ahead

DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre expressed confidence that the friendly would still take place, framing the issue as a venue problem rather than a cancellation. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday evening, he listed alternative options.

There are other stadiums, there is the possibility of playing behind closed doors, there are several options… We are used to adapting and, whatever happens, we will adapt without problem to all these situations.

Desabre stressed that the team's training camp in Belgium was proceeding normally, with all players arriving from Europe and local staff having respected exit timelines from DR Congo. He added that the squad's doctors are in constant contact with Fifa and strictly follow health protocols.

The Congolese federation responds

The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) asserted on Wednesday that the team complies with all health, sporting and regulatory requirements. It confirmed discussions with relevant authorities and the Spanish Football Federation to find a solution. The match against Chile is the second of two European friendlies for DR Congo; the first is against Denmark on Wednesday in Liège, Belgium.

World Cup context and US entry conditions

The 2026 World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. DR Congo are drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan. Their campaign opens against Portugal on 17 June in Houston, followed by Colombia in Guadalajara on 23 June and Uzbekistan in Atlanta on 27 June. This marks the country's first World Cup appearance in 52 years, since competing as Zaire in 1974. The White House has stated that the African squad must isolate in a bubble for 21 days to prevent any Ebola contagion if it wishes to enter the United States for the tournament.