Members of the Democratic Republic of Congo national football team will be required to isolate for 21 days before entering the United States due to an ongoing Ebola outbreak in their country. This announcement was made by authorities on May 22, 2026.

Isolation Requirements

Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, stated that U.S. officials have communicated with FIFA, the Congolese national team, and the government in Kinshasa regarding the need for the squad to remain in a “bubble” in Belgium, where they are currently training. “We’ve been very clear to Congo that they should maintain the integrity of their bubble for 21 days before they can then come to Houston on June 11th,” Giuliani told ESPN.

He further emphasized the importance of adhering to these guidelines, warning that failure to maintain the bubble could jeopardize their ability to travel to the U.S. “We cannot be any clearer,” he added, highlighting the commitment to ensuring safety and security for American citizens, participating teams, and fans.

Health Concerns

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the Congolese squad would be exempt from a travel ban that restricts entry for non-Americans who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days. Giuliani encouraged the team to protect their players from unnecessary exposure to ensure their participation in the tournament.

As of May 22, the World Health Organization reported 82 confirmed cases and seven confirmed deaths related to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths. The outbreak is attributed to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently lacks approved vaccines or treatments.

This marks the second time DR Congo has qualified for the World Cup, with their first appearance in 1974 when the nation was known as Zaire. The team plans to be based in Houston during the tournament, where they will kick off their Group K campaign against Portugal on June 17.