The United States has informed FIFA and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) of a mandatory 21-day quarantine for the DR Congo national football team in Belgium before their entry into the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup. This measure addresses the risk of the deadly Ebola virus. Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House's World Cup task force, confirmed the requirement, emphasizing its strict nature.

"We have made it very clear to Congo that they need to maintain the integrity of a 'safe bubble' for 21 days before they can arrive in Houston on 11/6", Giuliani told ESPN. "We also stressed to the Congolese government that failure to maintain this model risks them being denied entry to the U.S. We cannot be clearer".

DR Congo celebrates after a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in a 2026 World Cup play-off match at Guadalajara, Mexico on 31/4/2026. Photo: Reuters

White House officials underscore the U.S.'s serious commitment to health and safety for the 2026 World Cup. "We want to ensure no risks enter or approach U.S. borders concerning this matter", Giuliani stated.

Most DR Congo players and their French coach, Sebastien Desabre, reside outside Congo, primarily playing in France. However, some coaching staff and personnel working within Congo left the country last week. According to Giuliani, any new additions to the team must be placed in a separate "bubble". Should any member exhibit symptoms suspected of Ebola, the entire team risks being barred from the World Cup.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently has personnel in Europe monitoring two American doctors quarantined after Ebola exposure. The CDC is also considering deploying additional staff to Belgium to oversee the DR Congo team.

Last week, Congo confirmed an outbreak of a rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, believed to have caused over 130 deaths and nearly 600 suspected cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared this a public health emergency of international concern. This week, the CDC announced a 30-day entry ban for all foreign nationals who have been in Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan within the last three weeks.

The Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever in humans and other primates. After an incubation period of two days to three weeks, patients typically experience fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and headaches, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and impaired liver and kidney function. The disease has an average mortality rate of about 50%.

On 20/5, DR Congo canceled a three-day training camp at home and a farewell event for fans in the capital, Kinshasa. The team will play friendly matches against Denmark in Liege, Belgium, on 3/6, and against Chile in southern Spain on 9/6. In the 2026 World Cup, the Central African representative is in Group K, facing Portugal in Houston on 17/6, Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico, on 23/6, before playing Uzbekistan in Atlanta on 27/6.

Red Cross members move the body of an Ebola virus victim in Rwampara, DR Congo on 20/5. Photo: AP

DR Congo won the Africa Cup of Nations once, in 1972. The 2026 World Cup marks the team's return to football's biggest stage since 1974, when they participated in the finals in Germany as Zaire.

President Donald Trump appointed Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, to lead the World Cup task force in 5/2025.