The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) could face exclusion from the 2026 FIFA World Cup if it fails to comply fully with strict health and travel protocols introduced in response to the country’s ongoing Ebola outbreak.
Reports indicate that the Congolese national team is due to arrive in Houston, Texas, on June 11 ahead of its opening Group Stage fixture against Portugal on June 17. However, U.S. authorities and tournament organisers have mandated that the team complete a 21-day controlled isolation period before entering the United States.
Officials overseeing the arrangements have warned that any breach of the containment measures could jeopardise DR Congo’s participation in the tournament.
Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House World Cup Task Force, said consultations had already taken place with FIFA, officials of the DR Congo Football Federation, and government representatives to ensure compliance with the health framework.
He stressed that preserving the integrity of the isolation process was essential, warning that failure to comply with the requirements could result in travel restrictions that may prevent the team from entering the United States.
He added that all interactions involving the team must be carefully managed to avoid compromising the containment system, noting that even a suspected case linked to the squad’s travel arrangements could affect clearance for participation.
The Congolese side is expected to face Denmark in Liège on June 3 before taking on Chile in Cádiz a few days later as part of its World Cup preparations. However, the fixtures have raised concerns over how the team intends to maintain the required isolation conditions while travelling for the matches.
A federation representative confirmed that adjustments had already been made to the team’s preparation plans, including the cancellation of a proposed visit to Kinshasa, in an effort to comply fully with the health guidelines.
