USA enforces 21‑day quarantine on DR Congo squad

The United States has imposed a mandatory 21‑day quarantine on the DR Congo national team before allowing entry for the 2026 World Cup, following an Ebola outbreak in the country. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House task force for the tournament, confirmed the requirement, stressing that Congo must maintain a secure bubble until their scheduled arrival in Houston on 11 June. He warned that failure to comply could result in the squad being denied entry.

In response, DR Congo suspended training in Kinshasa and moved their camp to Belgium, where they will face Denmark in Liège on 3 June. A second friendly against Chile is set for 9 June in La Línea de la Concepción, with Spanish authorities reviewing safety protocols. The team plans to travel to Houston one week before their opener against Portugal on 17 June. The WHO continues to express concern over suspected Ebola‑related deaths, warning the outbreak may be larger than reported.