MADRID (AP) — Congo was still hoping to play its World Cup warmup against Chile after the mayor of the Spanish city of La Linea de la Concepcion denied authorization for the match because of health concerns related to the Ebola crisis.
Congo's soccer federation said it was in discussions with the Spanish soccer federation and relevant international bodies to find solutions.
Government authorities in the southern city of La Linea de la Concepcion announced the decision to not authorize next Tuesday's friendly citing possible health risks linked to the Ebola crisis.
Congo was playing a warmup against Denmark in Liege, Belgium, on Wednesday.
An outbreak of a rare type of Ebola virus has plagued Congo and Uganda. The World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency of international concern.
Congo had already canceled a three-day World Cup preparation training camp and a planned farewell to fans in the capital Kinshasa because of the outbreak the eastern part of the country.
All of the Congo players and the team’s French coach, Sébastien Desabre, are based outside of the central African country with most of them playing in France.
Soccer's governing body FIFA previously issued a statement saying it was aware of and monitoring the situation regarding an Ebola outbreak and was in close communication with Congo soccer officials to ensure the team was made aware of all medical and security guidance.
Congo will play in Group K at the World Cup. It faces Portugal for its opening game in Houston on June 17.
The Leopards then face Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23 before playing Uzbekistan in Atlanta for their final group game on June 27.
Congo's first World Cup qualification since 1974, when it was called Zaire, sparked scenes of jubilation across the nation, which has been battered by decades of conflict.
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
FILE - Congo players pose for a team photo before a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Cameroon, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. (AP Photo, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — Ten-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson confirmed Wednesday in a video posted to social media that that he's retiring from the NFL to take a job with CBS Sports.
Wilson's announcement came two days after news broke that he was finalizing a deal to become an analyst on CBS' Sunday NFL pregame show.
“As I enter this next chapter with CBS Sports and ‘The NFL Today,’ I’m so blessed to continue doing what I love most — being around the greatest game in the world,” he said in the video.
Wilson played 14 seasons after being taken by Seattle in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft out of N.C. State. He spent his first 10 seasons with the Seahawks, leading them to their first Super Bowl championship in the 2013 season. He was traded to Denver after the 2021 season and spent two rocky years with the Broncos before playing one season in Pittsburgh and another for the New York Giants.
Wilson threw for 46,966 yards, with 353 touchdown passes and 114 interceptions.
He joins Peyton Manning and Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks to throw at least 20 touchdown passes in each of their first three seasons and is one of seven quarterbacks to be selected to 10 Pro Bowls.
Wilson is the only player in NFL history with at least 30 touchdown passes and fewer than 15 interceptions in four straight seasons. He also had three seasons with at least 30 TD passes and 500 yards rushing, which is the most in NFL history.
In the video, which was about three minutes long, he thanked his teammates, friends and family and gave special thanks to former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
“Thanks for taking a chance on a young, 5-11 Black kid from Richmond, Virginia, that was told he was too small to ever make it in the NFL,” Wilson said.
Wilson is the shortest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
Wilson will replace Matt Ryan, who joined the Atlanta Falcons as president of football after two seasons on “The NFL Today.” Wilson had considered returning for a 15th season, telling the New York Post last month that he was mulling an offer to join the New York Jets and back up Geno Smith.
His video featured highlights from his career and footage of him visiting patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital. It ended with him thanking his wife, Ciara, and the sport he dedicated his life to.
“I thank you, football. ... I am forever grateful,” he said.
AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
FILE - Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs for a touchdown past San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
FILE - Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson passes the ball during warmups before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
FILE - Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson waves to fans as he leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Oct. 7, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
FILE - Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talks with head coach Pete Carroll before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sept. 20, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
FILE - Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Russell Wilson holds the Lombardi Trophy after the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game, Feb. 2, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
