Democratic Republic of Congo Arrives in the U.S. After 21-Day Quarantine for World Cup 2026

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s national football team has arrived in Houston, Texas, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, following a mandatory 21-day quarantine as part of precautionary measures before their travel to the United States.

The tournament, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, features 48 teams and officially kicked off yesterday, continuing until July 19.

Organizers imposed strict health protocols on the Congolese team due to concerns over recent Ebola outbreaks in the country.

Earlier, Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House task force overseeing the tournament, emphasized the importance of the Congolese team adhering to quarantine measures and maintaining what he referred to as a “health bubble” for 21 days prior to receiving clearance for travel.

These precautions were implemented after health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo reported new cases of Ebola in the eastern regions of the country, prompting additional safety measures to ensure the well-being of all participants in the tournament.

Under head coach Sébastien Desabre, the Congolese team had been preparing in Belgium over recent weeks before moving to the United States after completing all necessary health requirements.

During their preparation period, they played two friendly matches: they drew 0-0 against Denmark and then lost 2-1 to Chile in a match held in France after being relocated from Spain for safety reasons.

This marks only the second time that the Democratic Republic of Congo has qualified for the World Cup finals, having previously participated in 1974. They secured their current qualification through an intercontinental playoff.

The draw has placed Congo in Group 11 alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, setting up what promises to be a competitive battle for advancement to the next round.