FIFA clears Congolese team for World Cup amid Ebola outbreak

The world football governing body, FIFA, together with the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA), has confirmed that players and technical staff of the Democratic Republic of Congo national team have complied with strict health and safety protocols following the Ebola outbreak, making them eligible to safely travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a statement released on Monday, FECOFA said it had assured FIFA that all necessary precautions were taken to eliminate any risks linked to the epidemic and to meet sanitary requirements set by the United States government.

“FECOFA informed FIFA that it took every measure to avoid risks associated with the epidemic and to comply with the sanitary protocol introduced by the US government,” the statement noted.

The federation further emphasized that all players are cleared to participate in the tournament, while most members of the coaching staff—many of whom are based in Europe—are also considered safe and eligible to travel.

It added that the technical team members who recently departed Kinshasa for a training camp in Belgium left on May 20 and will remain in Europe for at least 21 days before heading to the United States as part of precautionary measures.

FECOFA concluded that, following consultations with FIFA, the delegation had fully complied with health guidelines and remains focused on preparations for the tournament.

The statement also mentioned that FIFA has considered the possibility of refunding supporters who purchased World Cup tickets but may be denied entry visas into the United States.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19 and will be staged across 16 cities. It will be the first edition to feature 48 teams instead of the traditional 32.

DR Congo has been drawn into Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.

Meanwhile, health authorities in the region have reported that deaths linked to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 200.

The epicenter of the outbreak is in Ituri Province, which borders Uganda, where one death and five suspected cases have also been recorded.

The first alerts were received on May 5, though officials believe the virus may have been spreading undetected for weeks.

On May 17, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.

The current outbreak is caused by the Ebola-Bundibugyo strain, first identified in Uganda in 2007, with a fatality rate estimated between 30% and 50%. There is currently no specific treatment or approved vaccine for this strain.