The United States has threatened to bar the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national team from participating in the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The warning was delivered by Andrew Giuliani, the Executive Director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup.
This strict measure is being enforced to ensure that the traveling Congolese delegation fully complies with a mandatory 21-day health quarantine, as the central African nation battles a fresh and dangerous outbreak of the Ebola virus.
Giuliani explained that the U.S. government has officially notified FIFA, the Congolese Football Association, and the Congolese government. The mandate requires the national team to strictly maintain an isolated “health bubble” in Belgium, where they are currently holding their training camp and are scheduled to play two warm-up matches.
“We have been very clear with the Congolese side regarding the necessity of respecting this bubble so they can safely travel to Houston on June 11th,” Giuliani stated. “Otherwise, they risk having their trip to the United States canceled entirely. We cannot be any clearer than this.”
He further added that the United States is taking no chances regarding public health and border security during the tournament:
“We want to make absolutely sure that nothing enters or comes near our borders that could jeopardize public health and general safety.”
Fortunately for Congo, all players selected for the national team, alongside their head coach Sébastien Desabre, currently reside outside the borders of the African country. However, complications arose after several administrative staff and technical team members returned to Congo this week.
Commenting on this situation, Giuliani warned:
“If there are other individuals joining the delegation, they must undergo a completely separate health bubble from the main squad. If any of those people arrive and show symptoms, they will jeopardize the entire team’s chance to come and compete in this World Cup.”
Last week, Congo confirmed the re-emergence of a rare Ebola strain known as “Bundibugyo,” which is believed to have already caused over 130 deaths and nearly 600 suspected cases. In response, Congo canceled a planned three-day training camp and a farewell ceremony with fans in the capital, Kinshasa, last Wednesday.
The “Leopards” are scheduled to play warm-up games against Denmark in Liege, Belgium, on June 3rd, and against Chile in southern Spain on June 9th.
It is worth noting that the 2026 World Cup draw placed Congo in Group K. The African side is set to open its campaign against Portugal in Houston on June 17th, followed by a clash with Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 23rd, before concluding the group stage against Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27th.
