- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,217,218
- Reaction score
- 59
The DR Congo national team has been fully cleared to participate in the 2026 World Cup, the country's soccer association (FECOFA) and FIFA confirmed this week.
There had been questions over the country's participation amid an ongoing Ebola crisis, which per The New York Times has seen more than 1,000 cases and more than 200 deaths in DR Congo thus far.
Last week, the CDC issued travel restrictions intended to prevent the Ebola virus from entering the United States. Almost all individuals who had been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days were barred from entering the U.S. at least until June 17.
With the World Cup kicking off on June 11, there were questions over DR Congo's participation — though no members of the team's World Cup roster play their club soccer in DR Congo.
But after a videoconference between FECOFA President Veron Mosengo Omba and senior FIFA representatives, DR Congo was cleared to travel to the U.S. and participate in the tournament.
DR Congo cancelled a pre-tournament training camp originally scheduled for Kinshasa, the country's capital. Team staff who departed Kinshasa did so on May 20, and will complete a minimum 21-day stay in Europe before entering the United States.
"The Leopards and its staff have demonstrated exactly the kind of responsibility, discipline, and respect that we expect from our athletes on the world stage," said Yvette Kapinga Ngandu, DRC Ambassador to the United States.
"I applaud FECOFA and FIFA for moving swiftly and decisively to make this responsible, reasonable determination. The Leopards are ready, they are safe, and I have no doubt that the United States will embrace this team and this moment with the warmth that has defined America for 250 years."
DR Congo is in Group K and scheduled to play group stage games against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, Colombia on June 23 in Guadalajara, and Uzbekistan on June 27 in Atlanta. The DR Congo team will train at SaberCats Stadium in Houston.
The Leopards named their 26-player squad for this summer's tournament on May 18, a roster that includes Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa and Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki.
Though the team has been cleared to travel, many fans who planned to come to North America for the tournament appear to be out of luck.
According to a press release, FIFA has committed to reviewing FECOFA's formal request to facilitate refunds for affected fans.
"My heart goes out to every Congolese fan who saved and planned and dreamed of being in the stadium cheering on the Leopards, only to be turned away through no fault of their own," Ngandu said.
"I am encouraged that FIFA is taking this matter seriously, and I call on them to act with urgency and compassion in making these supporters whole. They deserve nothing less."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ebola outbreak: DR Congo will play in 2026 FIFA World Cup amid crisis
Continue reading...
There had been questions over the country's participation amid an ongoing Ebola crisis, which per The New York Times has seen more than 1,000 cases and more than 200 deaths in DR Congo thus far.
Last week, the CDC issued travel restrictions intended to prevent the Ebola virus from entering the United States. Almost all individuals who had been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days were barred from entering the U.S. at least until June 17.
With the World Cup kicking off on June 11, there were questions over DR Congo's participation — though no members of the team's World Cup roster play their club soccer in DR Congo.
But after a videoconference between FECOFA President Veron Mosengo Omba and senior FIFA representatives, DR Congo was cleared to travel to the U.S. and participate in the tournament.
DR Congo cancelled a pre-tournament training camp originally scheduled for Kinshasa, the country's capital. Team staff who departed Kinshasa did so on May 20, and will complete a minimum 21-day stay in Europe before entering the United States.
"The Leopards and its staff have demonstrated exactly the kind of responsibility, discipline, and respect that we expect from our athletes on the world stage," said Yvette Kapinga Ngandu, DRC Ambassador to the United States.
"I applaud FECOFA and FIFA for moving swiftly and decisively to make this responsible, reasonable determination. The Leopards are ready, they are safe, and I have no doubt that the United States will embrace this team and this moment with the warmth that has defined America for 250 years."
DR Congo is in Group K and scheduled to play group stage games against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, Colombia on June 23 in Guadalajara, and Uzbekistan on June 27 in Atlanta. The DR Congo team will train at SaberCats Stadium in Houston.
The Leopards named their 26-player squad for this summer's tournament on May 18, a roster that includes Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa and Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki.
What about fans who can't travel?
Though the team has been cleared to travel, many fans who planned to come to North America for the tournament appear to be out of luck.
According to a press release, FIFA has committed to reviewing FECOFA's formal request to facilitate refunds for affected fans.
"My heart goes out to every Congolese fan who saved and planned and dreamed of being in the stadium cheering on the Leopards, only to be turned away through no fault of their own," Ngandu said.
"I am encouraged that FIFA is taking this matter seriously, and I call on them to act with urgency and compassion in making these supporters whole. They deserve nothing less."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ebola outbreak: DR Congo will play in 2026 FIFA World Cup amid crisis
Continue reading...
