The United States has asked the Democratic Republic of Congo national football team to undergo a 21-day isolation period before entering the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup because of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
The directive comes as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has killed more than 130 people and caused hundreds of suspected infections in Congo and neighbouring Uganda.
Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, said the Congolese delegation must remain inside a controlled training “bubble” in Europe before travelling to the United States.
“We cannot be clearer,” Giuliani said, warning that failure to comply with the isolation requirements could result in the team being denied entry into the country.
DR Congo are scheduled to face Portugal in Houston on June 17 in their opening Group K match of the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Congolese Football Federation has already cancelled a planned training camp and public farewell event in Kinshasa because of the outbreak. Team spokesman Jerry Kalemo said, “Only one stage was canceled — the one in Kinshasa.”
Despite the restrictions, Congolese officials insisted there would be no major changes to the team’s World Cup preparations.
“All of the players and the coach are based outside Congo,” a team official said, noting that the squad would continue preparations in Belgium and Spain before arriving in Houston.
The World Health Organisation has declared the Ebola outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,” while the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has imposed temporary travel restrictions on foreign nationals who recently visited Congo, Uganda or South Sudan.
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