DR Congo’s World Cup squad told to self-isolate for 21 days before entering US after Ebola outbreak
DR Congo Football national team members received instructions on isolation for 21 days before entering United States for 2026 FIFA World Cup because of the flow Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
The Congolese team is currently training in Belgium after plans for a training camp in Kinshasa were canceled due to growing health problems.
The US issues a stern warning
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup Task Force, confirmed that the team must remain in a controlled environment during their preparations.
“They have to maintain that bubble or they risk not being able to travel to the United States. We couldn’t be more clear,” Giuliani told ESPN.
Under US health regulations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has restricted entry to non-US citizens who have recently been to DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the past 21 days.
However, DR Congo’s players are mostly based abroad and are expected to avoid complications following the cancellation of the Kinshasa camp.
WHO raises Ebola risk level
The World Health Organization recently raised the public health risk associated with the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo from “high” to “very high”.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the regional risk in Africa remains high, although the global threat level is still considered low.
Officials also warned that any additional visitors joining the DR Congo camp could jeopardize the team’s participation if health protocols are breached.
“If they end up coming, and any of those people end up symptomatic, they risk the whole team being able to come and compete in this World Cup,” Giuliani added.
DR Congo continues preparations in Europe
DR Congo are scheduled to play international friendlies against Denmark in Belgium on June 3 and Chile in Spain on June 9 in preparation for the World Cup.
The tournament begins on June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and DR Congo will face Portugal on June 17 in the first match of the group stage.
