US Demands 21-Day Isolation for DR Congo World Cup Team Over Ebola Fears

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's national football team has been instructed by the United States to remain isolated for a period of 21 days before they can enter the country to participate in the World Cup. This directive comes amidst the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which has raised concerns globally. According to Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, the team must maintain their bubble in Belgium, where they are currently training, to avoid any potential risks. Giuliani stated, 'We've been very clear to Congo that they should maintain the integrity of their bubble for 21 days before they can then come to Houston on June 11th.' He further emphasized that the priority is the 'safety and security of the American people, participating teams, and millions of fans.' Despite this, the DRC team has announced that they will not be changing their preparations for the World Cup. A team spokesperson revealed that their schedule remains unchanged, with friendly matches against Denmark and Chile still on the cards. It is worth noting that the entire squad is based outside of the DRC, with the majority of players residing in Europe, along with their coach, Sébastien Desabre. The World Health Organization has classified the risk of the Ebola outbreak in the DRC as 'very high' and has declared it an emergency of international concern. The DRC has qualified for the World Cup for only the second time, with their first match scheduled against Portugal on June 17.