Editor’s observe:
HOUSTON — Because the prepares to play its first sport in 52 years on Wednesday, June 17 towards , the African nation’s may have an effect on fan help within the stands.
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to forestall the Ebola virus from getting into the USA. Whereas members of after a compulsory isolation interval, lots of the nation’s followers had been unable to journey to look at the match.
“We had been very unhappy, to be sincere,” Congo coach Sébastien Desabre mentioned on Tuesday, June 16. “A few of our supporters, a few of our followers who’ve been with us since day one – they’ve all the time been with us, all the time been supporting us, so we’re unhappy that they can not journey and are available right here to attend the video games. We’ll attempt to ship out the fitting temper and ensure they see us wherever they’re and really feel pleased about us.”
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US ahead #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his staff’s third aim in the course of the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP through Getty Photos)
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US ahead #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his staff’s third aim in the course of the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP through Getty Photos)
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
Folarin Balogun #20 of the USA scores his staff’s third aim in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Richard Heathcote, Getty Photos)
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
Cesar Samudio #12 of Panama fails to save lots of a shot from Giovanni Reyna #7 of the USA as he scores his staff’s fourth aim in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Photos)
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna (R) scores his staff’s fourth aim in the course of the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP through Getty Photos)
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US gamers have a good time the fourth aim by midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna in the course of the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP through Getty Photos)
Though the vast majority of Congo’s nationwide staff gamers had been taking part in soccer outdoors the nation, the Ebola disaster did disrupt its pre-World Cup schedule. Final month, the Congo nationwide staff scrapped its plan to carry a three-day coaching camp within the Congolese capital metropolis of Kinshasa. The staff as an alternative skilled in , the place Desabre mentioned they’d a “fully regular preparation part.”
However after taking part in one warm-up pleasant match towards in Belgium, Congo was compelled to relocate its second pleasant match towards Chile after native authorities in canceled the match due to public well being issues over the Ebola disaster. The match occurred with out spectators in .
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On the request of American authorities, the Congolese staff quarantined for 21 days earlier than it flew from to Houston, the place it arrange its World Cup base camp.
“For the staff, for the preparation internally, it was not impactful,” Desabre mentioned. “Now for our followers, after all, once you play outdoors of the nation sometimes we’re very a lot adopted. It’s one thing we like to share with our followers. There have been highs and lows all through our time collectively, they had been all the time with us, so for us after all one thing will likely be lacking. However I belief the diaspora, I belief all of those who love Congo. They are going to be there to help us.”
On June 16, Desabre mentioned all 26 gamers on Congo’s roster are wholesome and accessible to play towards Portugal. After that, Congo will face in Guadalajara on June 23 and in Atlanta on June 27.