The Democratic Republic of the Congo's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been thrown into the spotlight after United States officials ordered the national squad to remain in isolation for 21 days before they are permitted to enter the country, amid a deadly Ebola outbreak back home.

White House issues firm warning

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, told ESPN that US authorities had communicated directly with FIFA, the DRC squad, and the government in Kinshasa. The message was unambiguous: the team must maintain a strict bubble in Belgium, where they are currently training, for the full 21-day period before travelling to Houston on 11 June.