DR Congo World Cup Squad Ordered Into 21-Day Isolation Over Ebola Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s national team have been instructed to remain in isolation for 21 days before they can travel to the United States for the World Cup due to the Ebola outbreak in the country.

The Congolese team are currently training in Belgium after their planned training camp in Kinshasa was cancelled over health concerns.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, said the players must stay inside a controlled environment in Belgium to avoid any risk.

“They must remain in that bubble or they may not be allowed to enter the United States,” Giuliani said.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced restrictions on non-American travellers who have visited DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days.

However, all the DR Congo players are based outside the country, meaning they are not expected to be directly affected after the cancellation of the camp in Kinshasa.

Giuliani also warned that anyone joining the squad must stay separate from the players to avoid health complications.

“If anyone joins the team and later shows symptoms, it could affect the entire squad’s participation at the World Cup,” he explained.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday raised the public health risk level of the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo from “high” to “very high”.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the danger across the African region remains high, although the global risk is still considered low.

DR Congo are expected to play friendly matches against Denmark on June 3 in Belgium and Chile on June 9 in Spain as part of their preparations for the tournament.

The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, with DR Congo set to face Portugal in their opening match on June 17.