2026 World Cup: US to make Ebola travel ban exemption for DR Congo team

The United States has moved to reassure football authorities that the Democratic Republic of the Congo team will be allowed to enter the country for the upcoming World Cup, despite a standing travel restriction linked to an Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Central Africa.

A senior State Department official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the arrangement on Tuesday, saying the competition would proceed with special consideration for the qualified squad.

“We expect the DRC team to be able to attend the World Cup,” a senior State Department official said on condition of anonymity.

Screening protocols replace blanket exclusion

The US policy currently restricts entry for non-citizens who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Uganda or South Sudan within a 21-day window a measure introduced to limit exposure linked to the Ebola outbreak.

However officials clarified that elite sporting delegations are expected to be handled through enhanced screening rather than outright exclusion depending on recent travel history.

The same State Department official explained “We’re working to get them into the same protocol for testing in isolation that American citizens returning and permanent residents would be,” the same State Department official explained.

The exemption however is not expected to extend to supporters travelling from Democratic Republic of the Congo who would remain subject to standard entry rules.

World Cup journey and fixtures outlook

The Democratic Republic of the Congo known as the Leopards have qualified for only their second World Cup appearance after their debut in 1974 when the country was still competing as Zaire.

The team has opted to maintain a training base in Houston a key United States host city as they prepare for their Group K opener against Portugal on June 17.

They will then travel to Guadalajara to face Colombia on June 24 before returning to the United States to meet Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 28.

The fixture schedule underscores a tightly managed tournament pathway for the African side with organisers balancing public health safeguards and competitive integrity as the event spans multiple US venues.

No further concessions are expected for spectators with entry decisions remaining separate from team accreditation processes ahead of the June tournament window.

FIFA and US health authorities are expected to coordinate closely on testing travel clearance and monitoring procedures to ensure the participation of all qualified teams is not disrupted by ongoing regional health concerns while maintaining strict adherence to entry regulations applicable to international arrivals throughout the tournament period.