The Democratic Republic of Congo has shifted its pre-World Cup training camp from Kinshasa to Brussels. This decision follows a surge in Ebola cases and the imposition of strict travel restrictions by the United States .

600 suspeccted Ebola cases force a Kinshasa exit

The decision to abandon the capital city of Kinshasa as a training hub stems from a severe health crisis in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the report, the outbreak has resulted in 600 suspected cases and 139 deaths, specifically concentrated in the Ituri and North Kivu provinces.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the situation as a "public health emergency of international concern," although it has not yet classified the outbreak as a pandemic. This medical emergency created an untenable environment for the national team's preparations, necessitating an immediate change in venue to ensure player safety and international mobility.

Brussels and Spain replace the May 26 Kinshasa start

The DRC national team was originally slated to begin its intensive training camp on May 26. As the report notes, the squad will now gather in Belgium to maintain their World Cup readiness. This shift in geography includes a revised schedule of friendly matches designed to sharpen the team before the main tournament.

The team is now scheduled to face Denmark in a friendly match on June 3 in Belgium. Following this, the DRC squad will travel to Spain to take on Chile on June 9 . These matches serve as the final tuning for a team that will eventually establish its tournament base in Houston, Texas.

The 21-day US ban and the 1974 World Cup legacy

The logistics of the move are heavily influenced by travel restrictions imposed by the United States government. The US has banned entry for non-Americans who have spent time in South Sudan, Uganda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo within the 21 days prior to arrival. To avoid being stranded, DRC team staff reportedly departed the country on Wednesday to satisfy this window.

This logistical scramble adds pressure to a historic moment for the nation.. The Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing for its first World Cup appearance since 1974. The team's campaign begins on June 17 with a match against Portugal, followed by fixtures against Uzbekistan and Colombia.

Will DRC fans and journalists reach Houston?

While FIFA and the DRC Football Association have coordinated to ensure the players can travel, the fate of the team's supporters remains uncertain. There are significant concerns regarding whether journalists and fans from the DRC will be able to bypass the US travel restrictions to support their team in Houston.

The source does not clarify if the US government will grant special waivers for accredited media or official supporters' groups. This leaves a critical gap in the narrative: while the athletes are secured, the cultural and emotional support system for the DRC's first World Cup return in decades may be blocked by health protocols.