The Democratic Republic of Congo men's national soccer team has arrived in the U.S. to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1].
This appearance marks the end of a 52-year absence from the global tournament [2]. The team's return comes amid significant logistical challenges, as an ongoing Ebola outbreak in DR Congo forced officials to alter their training schedule [3, 4].
To ensure health safety, the team shifted its preparations from Kinshasa to Belgium [4]. This move allowed the squad to maintain its training regimen while navigating the health crisis at home. Despite these hurdles, the team was cleared for travel in May 2026 [2, 3].
Members of the squad arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on a Thursday in early June [1]. The arrival follows a period of debate regarding health protocols. Andrew Giuliani said the Congolese national soccer team must isolate if it wants to enter the United States for the global tournament [5]. However, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said, "I am not alarmed about the DR Congo team coming to Houston for the World Cup" [6].
The team is now preparing for its match against Portugal, scheduled for June 17, 2026 [7]. While they enter the tournament as underdogs, the players believe they can compete with the top seeds. Axel Tuanzebe said, "We can be one of the dark horses of the tournament" [7].
The team's journey to the U.S. represents a significant sporting milestone for the nation, overcoming both a half-century gap in qualification and a public health emergency to reach the pitch [2, 4].
“We can be one of the dark horses of the tournament.”
The participation of DR Congo highlights the intersection of global sports and public health crises. By relocating training to Belgium, the team established a precedent for maintaining athletic competitiveness while adhering to international health safety standards during an active outbreak.
