The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced that its national soccer team delegation meets all United States health requirements concerning the ongoing Ebola crisis, allowing the squad to participate in the upcoming World Cup competition.
On Saturday, a team representative stated that training would proceed according to schedule despite U.S. mandates requiring people to undergo a 21-day quarantine period prior to entering American territory.
Canada, Mexico, and the United States will jointly host the World Cup from June 11 through July 19.
Last week, the World Health Organization issued a warning about a “very high” possibility of the Bundibugyo variant of Ebola expanding throughout the DRC, citing over 1,000 potential cases and 246 possible fatalities recorded to date.
Officials from Congo announced that their soccer federation (FECOFA) conducted discussions with FIFA during the week, confirming the delegation now meets all health and safety requirements, which included scrapping a training session in Kinshasa and moving preparation activities to international locations.
“I applaud FECOFA and FIFA for moving swiftly and decisively to make this responsible, reasonable determination,” DRC Ambassador to the United States Yvette Kapinga Ngandu said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The Leopards are ready, they are safe, and I have no doubt that the United States will embrace this team.”
Reuters has reached out to FIFA seeking additional comments.
The majority of team players are currently located in Europe, which minimizes direct contact risks, while coaching staff who left Kinshasa in early May will spend no less than 21 days in Europe before traveling to America, following U.S. health requirements.
“The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has done everything in its power to ensure they arrive in the United States prepared, protected, and ready to compete,” Sports Minister Didier Budimbu said.
Authorities also expressed worry about supporters who purchased World Cup passes but cannot secure U.S. travel documents because of bureaucratic limitations, noting that conversations with FIFA regarding potential reimbursements are ongoing.
The Congo squad, making their World Cup return after a 52-year absence, will establish their headquarters in Houston. Their Group K schedule begins with Portugal on June 17, followed by Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23, and concludes against Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27.
