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DR Congo loses 2-1 to Chile in final World Cup warm-up match played behind closed doors
via SeneNews1 min read
The Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team was defeated 2-1 by Chile in their last preparatory match before the 2026 World Cup. The game, held behind closed doors in Orléans, France, on Tuesday, followed disruptions due to Ebola concerns. Originally scheduled for La Línea de la Concepción, Spain, the match was relocated after the local mayor prohibited it due to fears surrounding the Ebola epidemic in the Central African nation. Dario Osorio scored for Chile in the 52nd minute, followed by Matías Sepúlveda in the 86th. Joris Kayembe reduced the deficit for the Leopards less than two minutes later, but they could not equalize despite six minutes of added time. The Congolese Football Federation Fecofa stated on its X account that coach Sébastien Desabre's team concluded their preparation with a "richly instructive encounter." The DR Congo, which qualified for the World Cup by beating Jamaica in a playoff, will begin their campaign against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, followed by matches against Colombia and Uzbekistan. For these games in the United States and Mexico, US authorities have mandated a 21-day isolation period for the team before entry. The World Health Organization WHO has issued an international health alert regarding Ebola, with over 500 confirmed cases and dozens of deaths. Congolese football officials emphasize that none of the national team players reside in the country. The DR Congo's last World Cup appearance was in 1974, when the country wa
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