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    DR Congo national football team players have been instructed to isolate for 21 days before entering the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.

    The Congolese squad are currently training in Belgium after plans for a training camp in Kinshasa were cancelled amid growing health concerns.

    US issues strict warning

    Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, confirmed the squad must remain in a controlled environment throughout their preparations.

    “They need to maintain that bubble or they risk not being able to travel to the United States. We cannot be any clearer,” Giuliani told ESPN.

    DR Congo World Cup squad told to isolate for 21 days before entering US after Ebola outbreak
    DR Congo World Cup squad told to isolate for 21 days by US government after Ebola outbreak in Central Africa – Getty image

    According to US health regulations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has restricted entry for non-American citizens who have recently been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the last 21 days.

    However, DR Congo’s players are mostly based abroad and are expected to avoid complications after the cancellation of the Kinshasa camp.

    WHO raises Ebola risk level

    The World Health Organization recently raised the public health risk linked to the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo from “high” to “very high.”

    WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the regional risk across Africa remains high, although the global threat level is still considered low.

    Officials also warned that any additional visitors joining the DR Congo camp could jeopardise the team’s participation if health protocols are breached.

    “If they end up coming, and any of those people end up symptomatic, they are risking the entire team being able to come and compete in this World Cup,” Giuliani added.

    DR Congo continue preparations in Europe

    DR Congo are scheduled to play international friendlies against Denmark in Belgium on June 3 and Chile in Spain on June 9 as part of their World Cup preparations.

    The tournament begins on June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with DR Congo set to face Portugal in their opening group-stage fixture on June 17.

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