US suspends visas to DR Congo as Ebola outbreak disrupts 2026 World Cup preparations

The United States has suspended the issuance of visas to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) in response to a worsening Ebola outbreak, a development that is already casting a shadow over the country’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The decision has triggered fresh uncertainty around travel arrangements for the national team and its supporters, as international movement becomes increasingly complicated ahead of upcoming fixtures and preparatory engagements linked to the qualifiers.

In Kinshasa, plans for a pre-World Cup training camp and a farewell ceremony for the squad have been cancelled amid rising public health concerns.

Authorities say the outbreak has intensified in recent weeks, with more than 150 deaths reported and nearly 700 suspected cases recorded across affected regions.

Despite the disruption at home, most members of the DR Congo squad remain based abroad.

Head coach Sébastien Desabre and a majority of the players are currently in Europe, with France serving as the primary base for many internationals.

Only one player in the current squad, Fiston Mayele of Egypt’s Pyramids FC, is based on the African continent.

Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has acknowledged the situation, stating that it is closely monitoring developments in coordination with relevant authorities as concerns grow over the potential impact on international football calendars.

Meanwhile, DR Congo have been housed in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan ahead of the tournament that is slated to kick off from June 11 to July 19 across the USA, Canada and Mexico.