Spain Cancels World Cup Warm-Up Match Against Congo Over Ebola Concerns

A friendly football match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile, scheduled to be played ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, has been cancelled in a Spanish city due to fears related to the Ebola virus. The decision was taken by the local mayor as a precautionary health measure.

The mayor of the southern Spanish city of La Línea de la Concepción ordered the cancellation of the match, which was set for June 9. He stated that the decision was made purely on precautionary grounds following recommendations from regional health authorities.

According to the mayor, medical experts in the city also advised against holding the match due to potential health risks. The city has a population of around 65,000 and is located near the Gibraltar border.

Meanwhile, the Congolese national team has already been facing difficulties after an Ebola outbreak in their home country. The team had earlier cancelled its training camp in Congo and is currently based in Belgium.

The Congo Football Federation said the team is strictly following all health protocols set by host countries. The squad has also planned another warm-up match against Denmark, which will be played in Liège, Belgium.

US authorities have reportedly stated that the Congolese team will be required to undergo a 21-day isolation period before participating in the World Cup. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19 and will be jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has qualified for the World Cup, marking their first appearance since 1974, when they competed under the name Zaire.

The team plans to base itself in Houston, USA, for the tournament. Their opening group match will be played against Portugal on June 17.

They will then face Colombia on June 24 in Guadalajara, Mexico, followed by their final group-stage match against Uzbekistan on June 28 in Atlanta, USA.