June, 9, 2026
The 23rd FIFA World Cup tournament will take place from 11th June11 till 19th July in sixteen cities in three countries (eleven in USA, three in Mexico, & two in Canada). For the first time the tournament is hosted jointly by three nations & for the first time 48 teams will be taking part (from 32 previously) (Ref. Media).
The USA which is somewhat isolated globally due to its own play in the Middle East, had instructed the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) World Cup football squad to isolate for 21 days before entering its territory as latter is experiencing an Ebola outbreak. Hopefully the DRC team (with high expectations since 1974) would remember Sri Lankan cricketers breaking ‘bubbles’ in the UK during COVID 19 & stay in the ‘bubble’ in Belgium to perform at FIFA. The DRC football fans that have been in the DRC, South Sudan & Uganda wanting to travel to USA & Canada are still subject to the strict 21 day screening & other travel restrictions. Hence, most DRC supporters changed travel plans to attend matches in Mexico only (Ref. Media).
China cushions the DRC
The DRC which was first affected by ‘Ebola’ in 1976 officially confirmed its 17th ‘Ebola’ outbreak on 15th May. On 17th May the WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. As a response, China's National Health Commission sent a 5 member medical expert team with extensive experience in epidemic control to support the DRC's Ebola control efforts. This isn’t the first time China has helped DRC during medical emergencies & the team is expected to share practical response experience & help enhance DRC's capacity for Ebola prevention, control & treatment (Ref. Media).
Long before football popularized with western colonization, a ceramic pillow with a picture of a child kicking a ball had been made during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD). The pillow which is on display at the Henan Museum has a picture of a child playing ‘Cuju’ (ancient Chinese game ‘kick the ball’ similar to modern football) on its surface. Football has always contributed to global unity & with the Belt & Road Initiative China is contributing to global human development in unprecedented ways. Within that the contribution to the growth of football merchandise market is noteworthy.
Views expressed are personal/ Photo source WWW.
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