In brief
The Democratic Republic of Congo's World Cup squad has been mandated to isolate for 21 days before entering the US due to the Ebola outbreak. Training camp in Kinshasa was scrapped, forcing players to train in Belgium under strict 'bubble' protocols. CDC restrictions and WHO's 'very high' risk alert heighten tension ahead of Group K matches against Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
BREAKING: DR Congo's World Cup squad faces a high-stakes quarantine mandate after the White House Task Force ordered a 21-day isolation period before traveling to the US. The critical directive follows the cancellation of their Kinshasa training camp due to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with players now confined to a Belgium-based 'bubble' environment.Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, issued stark warnings to the team: 'They need to maintain that bubble or they risk not being able to travel to the United States. We cannot be any clearer.' The CDC has banned entry for non-Americans who've been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days, though all DR Congo players are currently outside these regions.The WHO recently escalated Ebola risk from 'high' to 'very high' in DR Congo, adding urgency to the situation. Giuliani warned that if external contacts become symptomatic, the entire squad could be barred from competing. The team faces critical friendlies against Denmark (June 3) and Chile (June 9) before their World Cup opener against Portugal on June 17.Despite the crisis, officials insist the bubble protocol will secure their participation. 'If they end up coming, and any of those people end up symptomatic, they are risking the entire team being able to come and compete,' Giuliani emphasized. With the tournament kicking off June 11, the DR Congo squad's ability to join the event hangs in the balance as medical authorities and FIFA monitor developments.}
