US to let DR Congo football team in for World Cup despite Ebola restrictions | World Cup 2026 News
U.S. Grants Exemption for DRC Football Team Amid Ebola Entry Ban
Published: May 19, 2026
The United States has implemented a travel ban for non-citizens who have visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days due to a resurgence of Ebola. However, a senior official from the U.S. Department of State announced that the DRC’s national football team will be granted an exemption to enter the country for the upcoming World Cup.
“We expect the DRC team to be able to attend the World Cup,” the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated.
The travel restrictions have been enforced in response to the ongoing outbreak of the virus in these regions. DRC is the only one of the three affected countries to qualify for the World Cup. Notably, the team has been training in Europe, which may have exempted them from the travel ban.
If any team members had traveled back to the DRC within the last 21 days, they would be subject to the same strict screening processes required for American citizens and permanent residents returning from the affected areas.
“We’re working to ensure they can participate under the same testing and isolation protocols,” the official added.
It is important to note that this exemption does not extend to regular fans from the DRC hoping to support their team during the tournament.
The DRC will make its World Cup debut against Portugal in Texas on June 17.
