The United States has allowed the Democratic Republic of the Congo football team to enter the country for the World Cup, despite a ban on non-Americans who have visited DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days. The exemption applies specifically to the national team, which has qualified for the tournament and is preparing to play.
The DRC team had been training in Europe prior to the tournament, which may have reduced their exposure to the Ebola risk period. If any players had been in DR Congo within the 21-day window, they would undergo the same screening and isolation protocols as returning US citizens.
The exemption does not extend to fans from DR Congo wishing to attend matches. The team’s first game is against Portugal on June 17 in Texas, and the US Department of State confirmed the team’s entry would be facilitated under special arrangements.