The Democratic Republic of the Congo's national team, the Leopards, played a 2026 FIFA World Cup preparation match against Chile on Tuesday in Orleans, France. The friendly, originally scheduled for Spain, was relocated after a city refused to host it due to concerns over the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo.
As reported by france3-regions.franceinfo.fr, the match kicked off at 18:00 behind closed doors at the Stade d'Orléans-La Source. This last-minute arrangement followed the refusal of the Spanish city of La Linea de la Concepcion to host the game, which was initially set for June 9. Local authorities made this decision in early June, citing fears related to the Ebola epidemic.
Why was the match relocated?
An Ebola epidemic has been ongoing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since mid-May. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an international health alert regarding this crisis, which has also affected neighboring countries like Uganda. The WHO reports over 500 confirmed cases and dozens of deaths. This health situation has directly impacted the Leopards' preparation. A training camp planned in DR Congo had to be cancelled, forcing the team to prepare for the World Cup from Europe. Congolese football officials stated that none of the called-up players currently reside in DR Congo.
How are the Leopards preparing for the World Cup?
The Congolese side, making its return to the major tournament after a last appearance in 1974 when the country was known as Zaire, is in full preparation mode. They recently played a 0-0 draw against Denmark in Belgium before this fixture against Chile, a team that failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Preparation is complex, notably due to host country health requirements. U.S. authorities have required the DR Congo team to undergo a 21-day isolation period before entering the country to play its group matches. You can follow the full preparation schedule on our fixtures page.
What is DR Congo's World Cup 2026 group?
The Leopards have been drawn in a challenging Group K for the 2026 World Cup finals. They will face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. Matches for this group will be held in the United States and Mexico. The composition of the Congolese squad, which will be operating far from home, will therefore be key to meeting this challenge. The last known preparation match for the Leopards before the World Cup is this encounter against Chile.
What are the logistical constraints?
Managing the preparation is a challenge in itself. Beyond the cancellation of the domestic training camp and the postponement of the friendly match, the team must contend with strict health protocols. The 21-day isolation period required by the United States will inevitably influence the scheduling of the final weeks before the competition. The technical staff will need to carefully plan travel and final tests to ensure players are ready upon arrival. The list of available players and their fitness will be one to watch on our injuries page. DR Congo will begin its World Cup campaign against Portugal on June 14, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
