Congo’s national football team could be denied entry into the United States for the World Cup unless players complete a strict 21-day isolation period amid the country’s Ebola outbreak.
The White House Task Force for the World Cup confirmed that the team must remain in a controlled training bubble in Belgium, where they are preparing and playing warm-up matches. Executive director Andrew Giuliani said the US has warned FIFA, the Congolese government, and the team that breaking the bubble could stop them from travelling to Houston for their opening match on June 11.
US authorities say the measures are necessary to protect public health as Congo battles a rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has killed more than 130 people and led to nearly 600 suspected cases. The World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak a global public health emergency, while the US CDC has also announced a 30-day entry ban on foreign nationals who recently visited Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan.
Most Congo players and coach Sébastien Desabre are based in Europe, mainly France, but officials warned that any staff arriving from Congo must remain separate from the squad. Giuliani added that two American doctors exposed to Ebola are currently in quarantine in Europe, with CDC officials monitoring the situation closely.
Congo has already cancelled a planned training camp and fan farewell event in Kinshasa. The Leopards are set to face Denmark and Chile in warm-up games before opening their World Cup campaign against Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in Group K.