Congo's soccer team has canceled a three-day World Cup preparation training camp and a planned farewell to fans in the capital Kinshasa because of an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country.
Ebola Outbreak
Preparations will now take place elsewhere after an outbreak of a rare type of Ebola known as Bundibugyo, which has killed more than 130 people and caused nearly 600 suspected cases.
The World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency of international concern.
Training Camp Changes
"There were three stages of preparation: in Kinshasa to say goodbye to the public, Belgium and Spain with two friendly matches against Denmark in Liege and Chile in Spain, and the third stage from June 11 in Houston, United States. Only one stage was canceled – the one in Kinshasa," team spokesman Jerry Kalemo said.
All of the Congo players and the team's French coach, Sébastien Desabre, are based outside of the central African country, with most of them playing in France. Some team staff who are based in Congo "are leaving in the next hours," Kalemo added.
Warmup Matches Scheduled
Congo is scheduled to play World Cup warmup games against Denmark in Liege, Belgium on June 3 and Chile in southern Spain on June 9. Both matches are going ahead as planned.
FIFA Monitoring
The governing body continues to work with host countries' governments and the World Health Organization to ensure a safe and secure tournament.
World Cup Group
Congo, which qualified for the World Cup after winning a playoff tournament in Mexico, has been drawn in Group K.
The team faces Portugal for its opening game in Houston on June 17, then Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23 before playing Uzbekistan in Atlanta for their final group game on June 27.
Congo's first World Cup qualification since 1974 – when it was called Zaire – sparked scenes of jubilation across the nation, which has been battered by decades of conflict.