World Cup 2026
Ebola Restrictions Threaten DR Congo’s World Cup Dream
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup is being overshadowed by a health crisis.
That is preventing thousands of supporters from travelling to the United States. Just weeks before the Leopards’ first World Cup appearance since 1974, the country is battling an Ebola outbreak that has triggered strict travel restrictions.
And now left fans are fearing they may never witness this historic moment in person.
For a nation that has waited 52 years to see its flag fly at football’s biggest tournament, the timing could not be more painful.
A Crisis That Hits at the Worst Possible Time
Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
On 16 May, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency following a deadly Ebola outbreak across central and East Africa. More than 900 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths have been reported, with the vast majority occurring in DR Congo.
As a result, the United States has imposed a strict entry ban on non-Americans who have visited DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days. The US embassy in Kinshasa has suspended visa services entirely.
This has left Congolese fans stranded and desperate.
Their country waited half a century for this return. But many now find themselves blocked from entering the very nation hosting their team’s opening matches.
Fecofa Requests FIFA Refunds for Blocked Supporters
With so many fans unable to travel, the Congolese football federation (Fecofa) has formally asked FIFA to refund tickets that supporters can no longer use. Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, federation president Veron Mosengo-Omba expressed frustration and sympathy for the fans who have saved for years hoping to witness history.
“We asked FIFA if it is possible to take this into consideration, because the tickets are a little bit expensive,” Mosengo-Omba said.
“They are punished because they cannot get [into the US] to see the World Cup to support their team.
“We don’t want our supporters who love football, who love the World Cup, to lose everything.”
FIFA’s initial response was only that the issue “will look into it in due course.”
But ticket refunds from FIFA are notoriously rare. Typically reserved for match cancellations not geopolitical or health emergencies.
US Restrictions Disrupt Travel Plans
The Leopards’ opening match against Portugal is scheduled for 17 June in Houston. Under the US travel rules, any Congolese fan hoping to attend would need to leave DR Congo at least 21 days earlier effectively immediately.
With visa services suspended, even that route is effectively closed.
As a result, many fans have started redirecting their travel plans toward Mexico, where DR Congo will play Colombia in Guadalajara. But their final group match, against Uzbekistan in Atlanta, remains inaccessible due to US entry bans.
Their hopes now rest on DR Congo finishing second in the group. Which would send them to Toronto, Canada, for a last-32 tie one of the few venues still available to them.
Team Preparations Unaffected but Disrupted
DR Congo football team celebrating World Cup qualification.
The good news for DR Congo is that the squad itself is largely unaffected. All 26 players and most technical staff are already based outside DR Congo.
Team officials from within the country left early to meet the 21-day quarantine period.
However, the situation has forced the Leopards to cancel their pre-tournament training camp in Kinshasa. Instead, they have assembled in Belgium for a series of warm-up matches before travelling to their base in Texas.
FIFA said it remains in “close communication” with Fecofa, host governments, and health authorities to ensure compliance with medical protocols.
A Footballing Resurrection Overshadowed
For DR Congo, returning to the World Cup is more than a sporting milestone. It is a national rebirth.
The Leopards remain the first sub-Saharan African country ever to play at the World Cup, appearing in 1974 when the country was known as Zaire.
Mosengo-Omba believes this moment means more than just qualification.
“This is the resurrection of football in this country,” he declared.
“People forget their problems now that they are following the Leopards. The team needs to go to the second round.”
His own election as Fecofa president earlier this month, after leaving his high-profile role with CAF, has added to the feeling of a reset within Congolese football.
“With the new leaders, we bring the football of this country to a very high level,” he said.
“We are not saying that we will win the Afcon or World Cup, but we will build a solid foundation for the future.”
The Ebola outbreak fueling the travel restrictions is not like previous ones. It is caused by the rare Bundibugyo viral strain, which hasn’t been seen in more than a decade.
With no vaccine currently available, containment is more difficult.
