The US says the DRC team must self-isolate due to Ebola before reaching the World Cup World Cup 2026 news

DR Congo will play their first World Cup 2026 match against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, but they will have to isolate themselves first.

Due to the Ebola outbreak in their country, members of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s soccer team must self-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 remain in training in Belgium and self-isolate for 21 days or be denied entry.

The DRC is in Group K of this year’s World Cup in North America. Its first match is against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, followed by matches against Colombia on June 23 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Uzbekistan on June 27 in Atlanta.

“We’ve been making it clear to the Congolese that they have to maintain the integrity of their bubble for 21 days before coming to Houston on June 11,” Giuliani told ESPN. “We have also explained clearly to the Congolese government, that they must maintain this bubble or they are in danger of not being able to go to the US. We cannot be clear.”

All members of the DRC team, as well as French head coach ⁠Sebastien Desabre, are outside the central African country. Many play professionally in Europe, including defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United) and forward Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United) in England’s Premier League and captain and defender Chancel ⁠Mbemba (Lille) in France’s Ligue 1.

Giuliani said the US is not taking any chances in terms of health and safety related to the World Cup.

“We want to make sure that nothing comes in or near our border here,” he said.

Earlier this month, the DRC confirmed an outbreak of an unusual Ebola virus called Bundibugyo. More than 130 people have died among nearly 600 suspected cases.

DRC canceled its training camp in the capital Kinshasa amid the outbreak and moved to Belgium, where the team has a friendly against Denmark in Liege on June 3. DRC also has a friendly against Chile in southern Spain on June 9.