FIFA is closely monitoring a national Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) as the nation's soccer team prepares to travel to the United States for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. With the tournament just over a month away, the organization has confirmed it is in close communication with the Congo DR Football Association to ensure the team receives all necessary medical and security guidance. This development comes as the U.S. government has implemented strict travel restrictions on individuals who have recently visited DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan due to the health crisis.
Travel Protocols and Exemptions
While the United States has banned non-Americans from entering the country if they have been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last three weeks, a Department of State official confirmed that the DR Congo national team will be able to enter the U.S. via a travel exemption. The official told Al Jazeera that authorities expect the team to attend the World Cup and are working to place them under the same testing and isolation protocols applied to American citizens and permanent residents returning from affected areas.
Team Preparations in Houston and Europe
Despite the global health concerns, DR Congo's national team has stated that their preparation program is proceeding as planned. A team spokesperson told Politico.com that the squad is currently training in Europe and Houston, but the planned leg of their camp in Kinshasa has been canceled due to health restrictions. DR Congo qualified for the World Cup in March after defeating Jamaica in extra time during the inter-confederation playoffs.
Upcoming Matches in Houston
The team is scheduled to face Denmark and Chile in warm-up friendlies next month before beginning their World Cup campaign against Portugal on June 17 in Houston. Their group stage will also include matches against Colombia and Uzbekistan. FIFA continues to work with the governments of the three host countries, including the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the Department of Homeland Security, Mexico’s Secretariat of Health, and the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as the World Health Organization, to ensure a safe and secure tournament.
