DR Congo will still come to United States for World Cup despite Ebola outbreak, but fans cannot

The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) football team will be travelling to the United States for the upcoming FIFA World Cup amid a deadly Ebola outbreak in the country. DRC is among the three countries that are facing travel restrictions in US due to the outbreak of the disease.

The United States has banned non-Americans who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days from visiting the country. However, exception will be made for the football team of DRC which is the only one among the three to have qualified for the 48-team event.

“We expect the DRC team to be able to attend the World Cup,” an official told AFP. “We’re working to get them into the same protocol for testing in isolation that American citizens returning and permanent residents would be."

Fans not allowed

A new Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain was confirmed in Ituri Province in DRC, situated alongside the border of Uganda and South Sudan, in mid-May 2026. As of May 20, health authorities have reported over 500 suspected cases and more than 130 deaths. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17.

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This raised serious concerns over the participation of DRC stars in the World Cup. However, AFP reports that the players are currently practicing in Europe and thus would not have been eligible for ban.

While the players and support staff will get to play the World Cup, fans will not be able to travel to the United States to support their team.

DRC qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974. The Leopards are drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. They are scheduled to base themselves in Houston, Texas, and open their campaign against Portugal on June 17.