Over the Ebola virus in the country, the DR Congo overseas-based players will not need to undergo a 21-day health isolation period before travelling to the United States, despite earlier reports indicating otherwise.

Having to cancel their training camp in Kinshasa for Belgium and following discussions with FIFA, only the technical staff located in the DRC will be subject to this protocol. Players and staff who are based abroad, including those in Europe, Egypt, and the UAE, will be exempt.

As a precautionary measure, the Leopards have also decided to cancel their planned stop in Kinshasa before heading out on their trip.

WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the risk in the wider region in Africa was “high” but that it remained “low” globally.

DR Congo are due to play friendlies against Denmark on 3 June in Belgium and Chile on 9 June in Spain. The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July, and DR Congo play Portugal in their opening game on 17 June.