US says DRC team must isolate due to Ebola before arriving for World Cup

Key points

• DR Congo play their first World Cup 2026 game against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, but must isolate first.
• Due to an Ebola outbreak in their country, members of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national football team must isolate before ⁠entering the US ⁠for the World Cup.
• Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, confirmed on Friday ⁠that the Congolese delegation must maintain a bubble where they currently are training in Belgium and isolate for 21 days or risk being denied entry.
• DRC is in ⁠Group K for this year’s World Cup in North America.
• Its first game is against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, followed by matches against Colombia on June 23 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and against Uzbekistan on June 27 in Atlanta.