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Spain Cancels Congo-Chile Friendly Over Ebola Risk

6/3/2026

29 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Spain Cancels

Spain cancelled the DR Congo-Chile friendly on June 9 after Mayor Juan Franco signed a decree citing Ebola risk.
The mayor’s health service warned of possible Bundibugyo Ebola transmission, with the WHO reporting 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths as of May 27.
DR Congo shifted its camp to Belgium, will play Denmark in Liège, and must complete a 21-day United States (U.S.) bubble before its Houston base for Group K on June 17.

Summary

Mbemba Captains

Chancel Mbemba has been appointed captain of Congo’s first World Cup campaign since 1974.
Coach Desabre says the Leopards can make a significant impression at the tournament despite the ongoing civil conflict in Congo.
An Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has claimed almost 200 lives, further straining the squad’s morale.
Players described a shift from despair to optimism after regrouping in Belgium following their abandonment of Kinshasa.

History

Historical Context

The 2014 West African Ebola crisis, declared a Public Health Emergency by WHO on 8 August 2014, infected 28,616 people and killed over 11,000 across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The African Union’s decision to postpone the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers showed how sport can be disrupted by health emergencies, a lesson shaping safeguards for later matches.

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Spain Cancels

Spain cancelled the DR Congo-Chile friendly on June 9 after Mayor Juan Franco signed a decree citing Ebola risk.
The mayor’s health service warned of possible Bundibugyo Ebola transmission, with the WHO reporting 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths as of May 27.
DR Congo shifted its camp to Belgium, will play Denmark in Liège, and must complete a 21-day United States (U.S.) bubble before its Houston base for Group K on June 17.

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