The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is considering playing their pre-World Cup friendly against Chile behind closed doors, according to head coach Sebastien Desabre. This proposal comes after the mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion in Spain canceled the match due to health concerns related to an Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

Match Cancellation and Health Precautions

Juan Franco, the mayor, announced the cancellation on Tuesday, emphasizing that it was a “precautionary measure” in line with advice from the Andalusia regional government’s health service. Despite this setback, Desabre remains optimistic about the possibility of the match taking place, stating that there are alternative stadiums available and the option to play without spectators. He expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Training Camp Adjustments

The DRC, which has qualified for its first World Cup since 1974, had to cancel a planned training camp in their home country due to the Ebola outbreak declared in mid-May. Instead, they have been training in Belgium. Desabre confirmed that all necessary health precautions are being followed, stating, “Of course, we are following the restrictions related to FIFA regarding medical organisation.” He noted that the training camp has been proceeding normally, with players arriving from Europe and local staff adhering to travel guidelines.

As the World Cup approaches, the DRC's squad faces additional challenges, including a mandated 21-day isolation period before entering the United States for the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19. The team plans to be based in Houston, Texas, where they will kick off their Group K campaign against Portugal on June 17.