Headline: DR Congo Stands Firm on World Cup Schedule Despite U.S. Ebola Warning
KINSHASA / BRUSSELS – The national football team of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is pressing ahead with its World Cup preparations, ignoring a warning from the United States that players and staff must undergo a 21-day Ebola quarantine before entering the country or face being turned away.
The warning, issued by U.S. health authorities, is linked to ongoing Ebola concerns in parts of the DRC. However, the team—known as the Leopards—has confirmed no changes to its current schedule.
DR Congo’s players and coaching staff are almost entirely based outside the country, with most plying their trade in European leagues. French head coach Sébastien Desabre is also managing the squad from Europe. The team is currently training in Belgium and has two friendly matches lined up:
· June 3 vs. Denmark in Liège, Belgium
· June 9 vs. Chile in Cádiz, Spain
According to DW Africa, a small number of team officials arrived at the Belgian training camp from the DRC earlier this week, but the playing squad remains unaffected by potential travel restrictions from the Central African nation.
For now, the Leopards are sticking to their World Cup roadmap, prioritizing match fitness and tactical preparation over the advisory from U.S. officials. It remains unclear how the team plans to resolve the quarantine requirement should they need to enter the United States for World Cup matches later this year.
FIFA and the Congolese football federation have not yet issued formal responses to the U.S. warning.
About The Author
