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The Democratic Republic of Congo has firmly rejected a request from the United States government to observe a 21-day quarantine period before travelling for the 2026 World Cup. Even though American officials cautioned that the team might be refused entry due to an Ebola outbreak in the African nation, Congolese authorities have confirmed that their preparation plans will not be altered.

Leopards stand their ground amid US government pressure

The Congolese national football team remains steadfast in sticking to its original training schedule, despite the United States issuing a strict advisory regarding health and safety regulations. Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, stated that the team must maintain a closed “bubble” for 21 days before entering the country, failing which they might be barred from participation. The directive comes in response to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which recently caused fatalities in central Africa.

“We have been absolutely clear with Congo that they must sustain the integrity of their bubble for 21 days before they can travel to Houston on June 11,” Giuliani told ESPN. “We have also made it clear to the Congolese government that failure to do so could result in travel restrictions. Our message cannot be clearer.”

Friendly fixtures to continue despite isolation directive

Despite the warning from Washington, a representative of the Congolese side confirmed that their pre-World Cup friendlies against Denmark and Chile will go ahead as scheduled. This stance directly contradicts the isolation requirement, as the team will play matches in Belgium and Spain during the period they were instructed to stay confined. The Leopards will face Denmark in Liège on June 3 before heading to Cádiz to take on Chile on June 9.

According to Reuters, a team official commented: “We have retained our training schedule. None of the players in the squad have travelled from the DRC. The friendly games remain confirmed. The only adjustment made was the cancellation of the Kinshasa visit.”

The team had initially planned a celebratory stop in Kinshasa before the tournament, marking their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, but that leg of the tour was cancelled earlier this week.

European camp forms basis of DRC’s argument

The Congolese football federation argues that since all their players and coaching personnel, including head coach Sébastien Desabre, are based in Europe, the health risk is minimal. Although a few federation officials recently travelled from the DRC to the Belgian camp, the squad itself has remained distant from areas most affected by the outbreak. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has escalated the threat level to “very high,” further complicating diplomatic exchanges between the two governments.

The WHO on Friday classified the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, reporting nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 potential deaths in the DRC and neighbouring Uganda. The alert has prompted the United States health task force, which oversees World Cup preparations, to take a firm stance on preventative measures.

Group K fixtures under uncertainty

DR Congo is set to be based in Houston for the tournament, opening their Group K campaign against Portugal on June 17. They will then face Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico, before concluding the group stage against Uzbekistan in Atlanta. Should the United States enforce its threat to deny entry, it could cause major disruption to the World Cup schedule just weeks before the opening match.