Ebola: DR Congo national team allowed to enter the United States for the 2026 World Cup (player to AFP)

The players from the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose preparation has been disrupted by concerns related to the Ebola virus, were allowed by authorities on Thursday to enter the United States to compete in the 2026 World Cup, a player confirmed to an AFP journalist as he left Houston airport.

The Leopards delegation, on whom the American authorities had imposed a 21-day isolation period before entering the territory, landed around 2:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. GMT) in Houston, coming from Paris, before leaving the airport an hour later "without any problems", right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka told an AFP journalist on site.

"Everyone got through, no one was turned away," added the West Ham full-back, who, like all his teammates, was wearing a suit and carrying a "leopard" bag, as he left the airport for the team's base camp in the Texas city.

DR Congo were beaten 2-1 by Chile on Tuesday in Orléans (France) in their final match, played behind closed doors, before the start of the tournament.

The match was originally scheduled to take place in a town in southern Spain, but the mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion banned the game due to concerns related to the Ebola epidemic affecting the Central African country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an international health alert. According to the WHO, more than 500 confirmed cases, including dozens of deaths, have been recorded.

In response to these concerns, Congolese football officials pointed out that none of the players called up to the national team by Sébastien Desabre reside in the country.

The Congolese Leopards, who have been preparing in Europe, were initially scheduled to train in Kinshasa but ultimately cancelled the trip "to try to respect all that has been recommended in terms of health," Congolese Sports Minister Didier Budimbu Ntubuanga told AFP this week.

DR Congo, who secured their qualification by beating Jamaica in the playoff, will make their debut in the 2026 World Cup against Portugal on June 17 in Houston before facing Colombia and then Uzbekistan.

Its last participation in the World Cup dates back to 1974, when the country was called Zaire.