U.S. Orders DR Congo Football Team to Quarantine for 21 Days or Risk 2026 World Cup Ban
The U.S. has ordered the DR Congo national football team to quarantine for 21 days before the 2026 World Cup or face a potential ban from competing, citing an Ebola outbreak in the country.
The United States has mandated that the Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team undergo a strict 21-day quarantine, or face potential denial of entry to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following an Ebola outbreak in the country. Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House's task force for the World Cup, confirmed that the DR Congo team must isolate for 21 days or risk being barred from traveling to the United States for the tournament. The DR Congo is one of several countries currently battling the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain. Before the World Cup begins, the DR Congo team is scheduled to train and play two friendlies in Belgium, with the U.S. requiring the quarantine to take place there. Giuliani stated, "We have informed DR Congo that they should implement strict 21-day quarantine measures before traveling to the United States on June 11, otherwise they risk not being permitted entry into our country." All of the DR Congo team's players and coaches reside outside the country, with most players based in France, though some team staff members who live domestically have already left the country.
