The Democratic Republic of the Congo soccer team has “cancelled their pre-World Cup training camp in the capital Kinshasa due to the Ebola outbreak in the country,” according to Adam Leventhal of THE ATHLETIC. The World Health Organization has called it “a public health emergency of international concern” with “139 suspected deaths and over 600 cases due to the disease, per the BBC.” DR Congo have confirmed that “they have moved the camp to Belgium, where they are due to play Denmark on June 3.” A FIFA spokesperson said, “FIFA is aware of and monitoring the situation regarding an Ebola outbreak and is in close communication with the Congo DR Football Association to ensure that the team are made aware of all medical and security guidance.” The U.S. government has invoked an emergency public health rule to “stop anyone who has visited DR Congo (in addition to Uganda or South Sudan, where other cases have been reported) in the last 21 days from entering the country.” The ruling is in place for 30 days, and “a decision will be made on whether to extend it.” DR Congo’s opening game is on June 17 against Portugal in Houston, which is 28 days away (THE ATHLETIC, 5/20).
VISA LOGISTICS: POLITICO’s Sophia Cai wrote World Cup organizers are “confronting a new logistical hurdle ahead” of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: how to safely host the DR Congo’s national team in the U.S. amid “heightened public health restrictions tied to an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.” The Trump administration and FIFA are “working to ensure the Congolese team can enter the United States for its training camp and tournament matches.” CDC’s Ebola response incident manager Satish Pillai said, “We’re actively working with FIFA to ensure that there is safe traveling, safe passage, and ensuring that travelers and the American public remain safe throughout.” Cai wrote fans from the DR Congo who have “already received their visa will need to show proof that they spent 21 days outside of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan before they enter the U.S., consistent with CDC guidelines.” But fans who have not received a visa “may face difficulties getting one” as the U.S. Embassy in the DR Congo has “temporarily paused all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services.” FIFA said that it “remains in close communication with Congolese football officials and public health authorities” (POLITICO, 5/19).
