The US State Department have made a statement over DR Congo’s World Cup participation after an Ebola outbreak in the country.
DR Congo are one of 10 African sides to have qualified for the tournament across the USA, Canada and Mexico, which starts in three weeks.
However, the United States has banned entry to non-US citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the past 21 days due to the Ebola outbreak.
But for the football team and staff, things should be fine.
“We expect the DRC team to be able to participate in the World Cup,” a US State Department spokesperson said.
It’s added that the Congolese squad have been training in Europe anyway, so would not be affected by the regulation.
Furthermore, the 26 players called up all play for European clubs.
Any players or staff that have been in DR Congo in the last 21 days will have to undergo strict health checks before entering the US.
This is the second World Cup DR Congo have qualified for since 1974.
Two of their games take place in the US, in Houston against Portugal on June 17th and in Atlanta against Uzbekistan on June 28th.
Between those they play Colombia on June 24th in Guadalajara, Mexico.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has already claimed 134 lives with 500 suspected cases.
Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of WHO, said: “I am deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic.
“There is no vaccine or treatment for the strain responsible for the virus, Bundibugyo, but they expect to have one within two months.”
FIFA added in a statement: “We are monitoring the situation regarding the Ebola outbreak and are in close communication with the DRC Football Federation to ensure the team is kept informed of all medical and safety guidelines.”
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