Event
DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre expressed hope that the national team’s strong performance at the World Cup would lift the spirits of supporters back home. The squad, making their first appearance since 1974, arrived in the United States on Thursday after completing a 21-day quarantine required by US authorities due to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The team, which relocated preparations to Belgium after cancelling a domestic training camp, will be based in Houston for the tournament. They are scheduled to play their first Group K match against Portugal on June 17.
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The Democratic Republic of Congo national team has entered the United States following mandatory health restrictions, setting up for their first tournament appearance in over five decades.
Background
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) national football team has arrived in the United States to compete in the 2026 World Cup, marking their first appearance at the tournament since 1974, when the nation was known as Zaire. The squad’s entry into the US followed a mandatory 21-day quarantine imposed by American authorities due to an Ebola outbreak in the DRC. Prior to their arrival, the team relocated their pre-tournament preparations to Belgium after cancelling a domestic training camp. Head coach Sebastien Desabre stated that the team aims to deliver a strong performance to lift the spirits of supporters back home. The team will be based in Houston for the duration of the tournament.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) national football team has arrived in the United States to compete in the 2026 World Cup, marking their first appearance at the tournament since 1974, when the nation was known as Zaire. The squad’s entry into the US followed a mandatory 21-
Fact cards
Key entities: Sebastien Desabre, DR Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, United States, Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Zaire.
Why did the DR Congo team undergo a 21-day quarantine? US authorities mandated the quarantine due to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When was the team’s previous World Cup appearance? The team last qualified for the World Cup in 1974, competing under the na
Recent: An Ebola outbreak occurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting the cancellation of a domestic training camp. Recent: The squad relocates preparations to Belgium and plays two friendlies during an adaptation period. Thursday: The team arrives in the United States
Timeline
An Ebola outbreak occurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting the cancellation of a domestic training camp.
The squad relocates preparations to Belgium and plays two friendlies during an adaptation period.
The team arrives in the United States from Paris after completing a 21-day quarantine required by US authorities.
Scheduled first Group K match against Portugal.
Scheduled match against Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Scheduled match against Uzbekistan in Atlanta.
FAQ
US authorities mandated the quarantine due to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The team last qualified for the World Cup in 1974, competing under the name Zaire.
The squad will be based in Houston, Texas.
Sebastien Desabre.
They are scheduled to play Portugal on June 17 in Group K.