Ebola Outbreak Forces Change In DR Congo's World Cup Preparations

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in June — and HuffPost will be live-blogging every twist, turn and controversy from the buildup through the final of what’s widely shaping up to be the most political soccer tournament of all time.From the action on the pitch to the potential chaos off it, the storylines are already piling up: Iran’s possible non-participation amid Donald Trump’s war, the president’s close relationship with FIFA’s Peace Prize-awarding President Gianni Infantino, and simmering tensions between the U.S. and fellow host nations Mexico and Canada fueled by Trump’s tariffs and divisive rhetoric.Trump’s travel bans could keep some fans out, there’s been fury over soaring ticket prices, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could be present at games as the Trump administration continues its anti-immigration crackdown.Not to mention extreme heat concerns that scorched all those involved the last time the U.S. hosted the tournament some 32 years ago, in 1994.And that’s all before a ball has been kicked.U.S. President Donald Trump received the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino in December.Andrew Harnik via Getty ImagesOn the field, the men’s national teams from 48 countries will compete in a record 104 matches across the three host nations in what will be the biggest World Cup in history.Mexico will take on South Africa at the iconic Mexico City Stadium in the opening game on June 11. The U.S. will play Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12, Australia in Seattle on June 19 and Turkey back in Los Angeles on June 25, in the group games, before potentially competing in the later knockout rounds.The final will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, which is being temporarily rebranded as the New York/New Jersey Stadium for the competition.Current European champions Spain are favorites to lift the trophy. Defending champions Argentina, of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi fame, along with France, England and Brazil, are also expected to be in the mix.Check out the full games schedule on the FIFA website.Follow along with our coverage below:Ebola Outbreak Forces Change In DR Congo's World Cup PreparationsReuters reports:The Democratic Republic of Congo's national team have been forced to cancel World Cup buildup events in Kinshasa due to the Ebola virus outbreak and will instead continue preparations in Belgium, a team spokesperson said.The squad had planned to hold a training session open to fans as well as a send-off ceremony with the country's head of state Felix Tshisekedi on Monday as they prepare for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.However, travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. CDC in response to the outbreak have made it necessary to change those plans, the spokesperson told Reuters.The CDC has prohibited the entry of non-U.S. passport holders who have been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days.All members of staff from the team based in DR Congo are therefore required to have left the country by Thursday in order to be allowed into the U.S. unrestricted. The team plan to arrive in the U.S. on June 10 or 11.Team manager Dodo Landu played down the change to the team’s schedule."The change is not very big, because we only had three days in Kinshasa," he told RFI. "We will just maintain the program in Belgium, the event on May 25 will take place in Brussels instead of Kinshasa."The team will be based in Houston, Texas during the World Cup. The entire playing squad, which was announced on Monday, is based at clubs outside of DR Congo, most of them in Europe.The Texas Department of State Health Services said on Wednesday they are "working closely with the CDC, FIFA, and local health departments to ensure the health and safety of the teams, spectators, and all Texas residents".DR Congo play the first game at the World Cup against Portugal in Houston, before taking on Colombia in Guadalajara and wrapping up their group campaign against Uzbekistan in Atlanta.As of Wednesday, there were 600 suspected cases in the Ebola outbreak and 139 suspected deaths in DR Congo.Latest Live UpdatesIran Team Heads To Visa Appointments Amid U.S. World Cup TensionsReuters reports:Iran's national soccer team attended visa appointments in the Turkish capital Ankara on Thursday ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the whole squad applying for Canadian visas and some players also submitting applications for U.S. entry.The World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Iran due to play all three of their group-stage matches in the United States.Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles before taking on Egypt in Seattle five days later.They would require access to Canada if they progress to the knockout rounds.The whole squad attended appointments for Canadian visas, while some players who had not applied for U.S. visas before the Iran war also submitted applications in Ankara, an Iranian football federation official said.Some foreign-based Iranian players joined the squad in Ankara before later travelling to the team's training camp in Antalya on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, the official said.Iran is holding a pre-tournament camp in Turkey after the Iranian domestic league was suspended following U.S. and Israeli strikes on the country that began on February 28, leaving many players short of match fitness.The team trained in Antalya earlier this week as coach Amir Ghalenoei attempted to prepare his squad after most domestic-based players went seven weeks without competitive soccer during the suspension of the Iranian league.Iran qualified early for the expanded 48-team World Cup, but preparations have been overshadowed by uncertainty over travel and security arrangements following the conflict between Iran, the U.S. and Israel.Iran's football federation had previously said U.S. visa applications for the team would be handled in Turkey after discussions with FIFA.Iran are due to play Gambia in a friendly on May 29 before Ghalenoei names his final 26-man World Cup squad by FIFA's June 1 deadline.Iran Soccer Star Fires Back At ‘Disloyalty’ Accusations After World Cup SnubReuters reports:Dropped Iran striker Sardar Azmoun has posted a heartfelt message on social media proclaiming his love for his country and wishing the World Cup squad well at the tournament without him.Azmoun, who is his country's second-leading scorer of all time, was left out of coach Amir Ghalenoei's preliminary squad for the tournament on Saturday. State news agency IRNA said that Azmoun was injured but media reports in March said he had been expelled from the national team after posting a picture on social media of a meeting with Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.Iran has attacked the United Arab Emirates, where Azmoun plays his club football, with drones and missiles during the war triggered by air attacks on the Islamic Republic by the United States and Israel. Accusations of disloyalty in the Iranian media at that time clearly rankled with Azmoun and he addressed them in Wednesday's post."I want to speak from the bottom of my heart about some things that many people may not know, or about certain misunderstandings that may have led some to judge me too quickly," the 31-year-old wrote. "I have always played for my national team with pride. When we won, I was proud of myself and my teammates. When we didn't, I was more upset than anyone else in the world, just like them. I love football, and I love the good and deserving people of my country, Iran. People whose kindness and unwavering support have always given me energy."Azmoun, who is part of Iran's Turkmen ethnic minority, said as a teenager he had received a "very large financial offer" to represent another country. "My answer was this: 'I am a son of Iran, and I want to play for my people and make them happy'," he wrote."I promised myself that every time I played for Iran, I would give everything I had to bring joy to the people who follow football with love -- especially the children in the most remote towns and villages who celebrate our victories. No matter where I play football, my identity, my heart, and my pride are Iran."Azmoun concluded by wishing the World Cup squad success at the tournament."I wish success and pride for the players, coaching staff, and especially Amir Khan, at the World Cup," he wrote. "Go out there and smash it, my friends, make the hearts of the people of Iran happy."The Iran squad are currently at a training camp in Turkey, from where they will fly to their tournament base in the United States in the first week of June.Watchdog Reveals Massive Cost Of Canada’s World Cup HostingReuters reports:Canada is expected to spend just over C$1 billion ($727 million) to host the World Cup this summer, according to a report from the federal budget watchdog published on Wednesday.The estimated cost per game is C$82 million, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said, noting that amount is aligned with past public spending on World Cup events.Thirteen matches will be played in Toronto and Vancouver during the June 11-July 19 tournament, which Canada is co-hosting with the U.S. and Mexico.Of the C$1.066 billion price tag, the federal government will cover C$473 million and other levels of government will provide the remaining C$593 million.As of April, the City of Toronto intended to spend C$380 million, which includes federal grants, to host six games. British Columbia had planned to spend C$578 million to host seven matches in Vancouver.The federal government said in April it would allocate up to C$145 million for security during the tournament.Canada start their World Cup campaign against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.'Cruel' World Cup Blow For Injured Spain StarReuters reports:Spain's Fermin Lopez will miss the World Cup next month after he confirmed on Wednesday that surgery on his fractured foot had ruled him out of the tournament.The Barcelona midfielder suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during their 3-1 home win over Real Betis on Sunday, with the club confirming he would need surgery."The operation went very well and I'm already looking forward to coming back stronger, both physically and mentally. Life and football can be cruel when you least expect it or deserve it," Lopez wrote on Instagram."But you have to accept that it's all part of the journey. It's a very tough time for me and yet another challenge in my career that I will overcome – of that you can be sure."Now it's time to support the national team and my teammates from home."Lopez was hoping to make the squad after an impressive season with Barcelona, scoring 13 goals and grabbing 17 assists across all competitions as the club won LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup.European champions Spain begin their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Group H opponents Cape Verde before facing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.Coach Luis de la Fuente is set to announce his World Cup squad on Monday.Iconic Whale Mural In Dallas Painted Over For FIFA-Related Branding Ahead Of World CupA massive, iconic mural in downtown Dallas by the artist Wyland has been painted over to make way for World Cup branding, prompting anger in the community and a whole lot of finger-pointing among those responsible for the decision.From 1999 until sometime last week, an 82-foot-high, 164-foot-long pod of whales adorned the side of the building at 505 N. Akard Street in downtown Dallas.Wyland told Fox4News he painted aquatic scenes in landlocked cities across the country as a means to draw attention to how metropolitan areas affect ecosystems downstream.Any claim Dallas or FIFA sought his permission before slathering it over is “a lie with a capital L,” he told the station. “They had all these walls. There’s so many great walls to paint. Pick a wall that’s not part of Dallas’ public history.”The North Texas Fifa World Cup Organizing Committee said in a statement it has “great respect for Wyland’s legacy,” and as such, decided to leave a small portion of the mural it had yet to obscure uncovered.“We look forward to unveiling a new piece that captures this current historical moment and reflects the energy, unity, and global spirit” surrounding World Cup 2026.“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Wyland said in a separate interview with KERA news. “They destroyed like 80% of the mural, and they're going to paint something that has nothing to do with conservation, which is what the mural was intended for.”“They should be embarrassed.”New York City Hotels Reach Labor Deal Just Before World CupNew York City hotel operators and unions have reached an eight-year labour deal covering about 25,000 workers, averting a strike over wages, workloads and staffing levels that had threatened to disrupt the city ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the head of the Hotel Association of New York City said on Tuesday.Vijay Dandapani, the association’s president and chief executive, said the mood among owners was "overall positive" after weeks of negotiations, though the industry made significant concessions."We came a long way from where things were," Dandapani said.While FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, was not involved in the talks, the prospect of an influx of fans raised the stakes. A union campaign had warned of a possible strike and urged visitors to avoid affected hotels.The potential walkout was a "very real threat," Dandapani said, noting recent labour actions in U.S. cities including Los Angeles and Boston.The contract’s full wage and benefit details were not immediately available. Dandapani said a figure of about $200,000 reflected compensation at the end of the agreement, not at the outset.Hotel owners entered the talks aiming to preserve profitability, arguing New York’s lodging market has not fully recovered from the pandemic. Occupancy remains below 2019 levels and inflation-adjusted room rates have yet to catch up, he said.He also cited broader pressures, including the war in Iran, tariffs and visa issues.The deal follows the withdrawal of a proposed city measure that operators said would have sharply raised labour costs by limiting room attendants’ workloads and requiring double pay beyond certain thresholds. Owners estimated it could have lifted wage costs by about 40%.The new pact will still add costs, though operators expect tourism demand and major events to support revenue."We believe strongly in the New York City market," Dandapani said, adding that the city needs to become more affordable for businesses.Spying Scandal Rocks English SoccerSouthampton have been thrown out of Saturday’s Championship playoff final – the richest game in world soccer – after being found guilty of spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough in one of the harshest punishments imposed in the English game.Tuesday's decision by an English Football League-appointed Independent Disciplinary Commission dramatically rewrites the second-tier promotion race and hands Boro an unlikely reprieve after they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Southampton in the semis.Middlesbrough have now been reinstated and will face Hull City at Wembley on Saturday in a match routinely dubbed the richest in world soccer because of the financial windfall attached to promotion to the Premier League.Even a single season in the Premier League, followed by immediate relegation, is estimated to be worth around 200 million pounds ($268.10 million) over three seasons through broadcast revenue, sponsorship and parachute payments.Southampton admitted the charge of illegally spying on an opponent within 72 hours of a scheduled match, and also admitted similarly filming training sessions involving Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April during the regular season.Southampton failed to win any of those games.The club had made no statement by midnight, but multiple reports said they were planning to appeal the severity of the punishment.The EFL had said in announcing Southampton's expulsion that the club could appeal and that "parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May."The EFL said that subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday's fixture, leaving the south-coast club with a glimmer of hope.UNPRECEDENTED RULINGThe unprecedented ruling may open a Pandora's Box of legal issues, with some media reports saying Southampton's players could have a case against their club for loss of earnings if they are denied a shot at reaching the Premier League.Other reports said clubs who had failed to reach the playoffs could seek some form of compensation.Southampton's allocation of some 37,000 tickets to the Wembley showcase had sold out earlier on Tuesday.While the club had remained silent Southampton fans had plenty to say, with some leaping to the club's defence, while others voiced shame."Spying or not, we won fair and square on the pitch," supporter Melissa Earley Gordon told Southampton newspaper The Daily Echo. But Martin Sanders, who runs a Saints fan channel on YouTube and had booked tickets, travel and hotel for the final, told the newspaper he felt let down."Ashamed, disgusted, gutted, let down. Massively let down," he said. “I am awaiting the club’s statement to see what the club have to say. I am appalled. I think the fans have been let down, I think the players have been let down.'BORO CALLED FOR SOUTHAMPTON EXPULSIONMiddlesbrough had called for Southampton's expulsion after having a training session at their Rockliffe Park site filmed 48 hours ahead of the first leg of their playoff semi-final with Southampton which ended 0-0 and welcomed the decision."We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct," Middlesbrough said in a statement."As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday."Southampton were relegated from the Premier League last season and were struggling in the early part of this campaign until a storming finish in which they went unbeaten in 19 league games to finish fourth and enter the playoffs.The south-coast club are the first to fall foul of the Football League's regulation 127 -- brought in after Leeds United were found guilty of spying on Derby County seven years ago, an offence for which they were fined 200,000 pounds.Soccer Coach Who Secretly Filmed Female Players Gets Lifetime BanUEFA has issued a lifetime ban to Petr Vlachovsky, a Czech women's soccer coach who secretly filmed his players, the governing body announced on Tuesday.Czech media reported that the coach was convicted in May 2025 and initially received a suspended one-year prison sentence and a five-year domestic coaching ban for filming FC Slovacko's players in changing rooms, the youngest of whom was 17.In a statement, UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) said it had decided to ban Vlachovsky "from exercising any football-related activity for life" following the appointment of an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to investigate allegations of potential misconduct."The CEDB further decided to request FIFA to extend the abovementioned ban on a worldwide level and to order the Football Association of the Czech Republic to revoke Mr. Petr Vlachovsky’s coaching licence," the statement added.FC Slovacko did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.Football players' union FIFPRO welcomed the ban as well as UEFA's request for world soccer governing body FIFA to impose an international ban on Vlachovsky."This outcome sends a strong and necessary message that abusive and inappropriate behaviour has no place in football and that safeguarding the wellbeing of players must remain a priority at every level of the game," FIFPRO added in a statement.Vlachovsky had also previously served as coach of the Czech women's Under-19s team.DR Congo’s World Cup Prep Hit By Ebola Outbreak, But Team Presses OnThe Democratic Republic of Congo's soccer team is attempting to navigate through a national Ebola outbreak in its preparations for the World Cup, though the squad still expects to compete in North America this summer.FIFA issued a statement that "it is aware of and monitoring the situation regarding an Ebola outbreak and is in close communication with the Congo DR Football Association to ensure that the team are made aware of all medical and security guidance."FIFA continues to work with all three FIFA World Cup 2026 host countries' governments, including the US Department of State, CDC and Department of Homeland Security, Mexico's Secretariat of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as with the World Health Organization, to ensure a safe and secure tournament, as the health of all individuals involved remains FIFA's priority."DR Congo scrapped a planned training camp that was due to be held in the capital of Kinshasa this coming Sunday."Our team's preparation program is proceeding as planned in Europe and Houston," a DR Congo spokesperson told Politico.com. "It is the Kinshasa leg that has been cancelled due to health restrictions."The DR Congo team is due to make Houston its North American base during the summer, with its opening Group K game scheduled in that city on June 17 against Portugal. DR Congo's other group games will be on June 23 against Colombia in Zapopan, Mexico, and on June 27 against Uzbekistan in Atlanta.The president of Houston's World Cup host committee, Chris Canetti, told USA Today, "As you can imagine, we are taking advisement from FIFA and health officials on this. As of now, there are no change in plans. The team arrival date is scheduled for June 11."The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday paused entry to the country for 30 days by people who have recently visited the sites of the Ebola outbreak: DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.Satish Pillai, incident manager for CDC's Ebola response, said Tuesday, according to Politico.com, "We're actively working with FIFA to ensure that there is safe traveling, safe passage, and ensuring that travelers and the American public remain safe throughout."Cristiano Ronaldo To Play In Sixth World Cup As Portugal Pays Poignant Tribute To Late TeammateCristiano Ronaldo will embark on a sixth World Cup at the age of 41 after Portugal coach Roberto Martinez on Tuesday named a 27-man squad for the tournament, with a symbolic 'plus one' in memory of the late Diogo Jota.Speaking at Cidade do Futebol before a packed auditorium, Martinez confirmed that fourth-choice goalkeeper Ricardo Velho of Genclerbirligi Ankara will travel with the squad but can only be added to the official 26-man list in the event of an injury to one of the three registered keepers.Portugal, the reigning Nations League champions, open their Group K campaign at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17 in Houston. They then face Uzbekistan at the same venue on June 23 and conclude the group stage against Colombia in Miami on June 27. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19.Martinez said his selection comprised "27 players plus one", a reference to Liverpool forward Jota, who died in a car accident in July last year aged 28."He is our strength, our joy," Martinez said. "Losing Diogo was an unforgettable and very difficult moment, but the very next day it was up to all of us to fight for Diogo's dream and for the example he always set in our national team. Diogo Jota's spirit, strength and example are the +1 and will always be the +1."The coach defended his decision to name four goalkeepers and five fullbacks, while leaving out players including Mateus Fernandes, Ricardo Horta and Pedro Goncalves."The complexity of the tournament is very important – the demands of the weather, the time zone, everything we already experienced in March," Martinez said. "There are positions where we need to have more than two players per position. And we need five fullbacks."He highlighted the versatility of Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo and Matheus Nunes, and pointed to attacking options such as Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Francisco Trincao operating between the lines, with Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao providing width.Martinez added that Velho understood his role as a training goalkeeper, noting that FIFA rules only permit replacement in the event of injury during the tournament.Portugal warm up against Chile in Oeiras on June 6 and Nigeria in Leiria on June 10. FIFA has stipulated that the squad must be in their Palm Beach, Florida training camp at least five days before their opening match. PORTUGAL WORLD CUP SQUADGoalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP); Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi Ankara);Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United); Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce SK), Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal); Ruben Dias (Manchester City); Tomas Araujo (SL Benfica);Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City);Forwards: Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (PSG); Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr).See All Updates