DR Congo Football Team Faces 21-Day Isolation in Belgium Ahead of World Cup Due to Ebola

The Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team faces a strict 21-day isolation period in Belgium before they can enter the United States for the upcoming World Cup. This measure is a direct response to an Ebola outbreak in the central African nation.

The team, which is scheduled to play a test match against Denmark on June 3, is currently in a training camp in Belgium. Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House's World Cup task force, informed ESPN that the team, along with FIFA and the DR Congo government, has been notified of the mandatory "bubble" period.

"We have made it very clear to DR Congo that they must maintain their bubble for 21 days before they can come to Houston on June 11," Giuliani stated. "Otherwise, they risk not being able to travel to the USA. We cannot be clearer than that."

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We have made it very clear to DR Congo, that they must maintain their bubble for 21 days, before they can come to Houston 11 June.

Giuliani emphasized that the primary concern is the safety of Americans, participating World Cup teams, and fans. US authorities had previously announced an exemption from a temporary entry ban for non-Americans who had recently been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan. This exemption is contingent on the team's adherence to the isolation requirements.

The DR Congo team has qualified for the World Cup for the second time, having previously participated in 1974 when the country was known as Zaire. This year's tournament will be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The team recently canceled a planned training session in Kinshasa, moving their camp to Belgium, though the Ebola outbreak was not officially cited as the reason.

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Otherwise, they risk not being able to travel to the USA. We cannot be clearer than that.