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World Cup 2026 | DR Congo vs Chile: Friendly match to be played at new venue after Ebola ban
🇵🇦 Panama /Sports

World Cup 2026 | DR Congo vs Chile: Friendly match to be played at new venue after Ebola ban

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A friendly soccer match between Chile and the Democratic Republic of Congo, scheduled for Spain, has been moved to France due to an Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
  • The Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción initially banned the match, citing health precautions and insufficient guarantees against the Ebola virus.
  • The game will now be played behind closed doors in Orleans, France, as part of the DRC's World Cup preparation, while Chile concludes its European tour.

A friendly soccer match between Chile and the Democratic Republic of Congo, originally slated to take place in Spain, has been relocated to France following a ban by a Spanish municipality concerned about the Ebola outbreak in the African nation.

The Congolese team, which had been training in Marbella, Spain, confirmed their travel to France. The match is scheduled to be played behind closed doors at the La Source stadium in Orleans, France, at 6:00 PM local time.

La Línea de la Concepción, a town in southern Spain, prohibited the match last Tuesday. Mayor Juan Franco cited "a matter of health prudence" and recommendations from regional and local health authorities, stating that sufficient health guarantees had not been provided.

Last moments of work in Marbella before heading to France.

— FECOFAThe Congolese Football Federation announced their departure for France via their X account.

The World Health Organization declared an international health emergency on May 15 due to the Ebola outbreak in northeastern DRC, which has reported 515 confirmed infections and 91 deaths. The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) noted that no players from teams within the DRC have been called up for the squad.

This match serves as the final preparation for the DRC's World Cup campaign in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, where they are grouped with Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan. Chile, which did not qualify for the World Cup, will conclude their European tour after this match, having recently lost to Portugal.

a matter of health prudence

— Juan FrancoThe mayor of La Línea de la Concepción explaining the decision to ban the match.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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