--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-09T17:24:17.152Z data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/newcastle-united/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2hyb25pY2xlbGl2ZS5jby51ay9zcG9ydC9mb290YmFsbC9mb290YmFsbC1uZXdzL3lvYW5lLXdpc3NhLXdvcmxkLWN1cC1wcmVwYXJhdGlvbnMtMzM5ODc0MzI --- # Yoane Wissa World Cup preparations hit by Ebola outbreak as star's plans change - **Source:** - **Club:** Newcastle United - **Original URL:** https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/yoane-wissa-world-cup-preparations-33987432 Wissa helped his country qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 after they won through two play-off competitions following a second placed finish in the initial group stages of African qualifying. The 29-year-old will hope to have a strong tournament after a difficult first season at Newcastle United, having been named in Sébastien Desabre's 26-man squad to compete in the USA, Mexico and Canada. But their preparations have had to change amid a growing outbreak of Ebola in the country. The World Health Organisation has called the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern" but announced that it was not a pandemic level. Get Chronicle Premium now for just £1 HERE – exclusive news and features, our NUFC and Academy notebooks, plus an ad-lite experience Les Léopards had been due to meet fans at a training camp in the country's capital city, Kinshasa, before taking on Denmark and Chile in pre-tournament friendlies in Belgium and Spain. That training camp has now been moved to Belgium to mitigate any risk of the outbreak affecting the playing squad. "There were three stages of preparation: In Kinshasa to say goodbye to the public, Belgium and Spain with two friendly matches against Denmark in Liege and Chile in Spain, and the third stage from June 11 in Houston, United States. Only one stage was cancelled – the one in Kinshasa," Spokesperson for DR Congo, Jerry Kalemo said. FIFA have also addressed the situation, saying: "it is aware of and monitoring the situation regarding an Ebola outbreak and is in close communication with the DRC Football Association to ensure that the team are made aware of all medical and security guidance." The US government are also banning any non-Americans who have been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days from entering the country but none of the players or manager are based in the country meaning that ruling will not affect any of them. DR Congo have been drawn in a tough group with Portugal, Colombia and debutants, Uzbekistan, joining them in Group K, with their matches taking place in Houston and Atlanta in the USA, as well as a match in Zapopan, Mexico. Wissa has struggled to make an impact in his first season at Newcastle, ironically picking up a knee injury while on international duty with DR Congo just days after sealing his £55million move to the club from Brentford. He missed his first three months at the club as a result, and after a chequered pre-season with his future at Brentford in limbo, he has struggled to catch up fitness-wise ever since. Wissa has scored just three times in all competitions this season but he is hopeful he can make a positive impact next season with a full pre-season under his belt. Speaking last month, Wissa said: "I am a soldier. I will keep going. I want them [the fans] to know the love I have for this shirt. Looking forward to next season, I understand how big this club is, I hope I'm going to do better. To perform at Newcastle is something unbelievable for me. "I know so many players struggle in their first year. I am looking forward. I hope I am going to have some goals towards the end [of the season]. It's such a privilege. I just want to wear the shirt."