The risk of Ebola affecting fans at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is low, according to Dr. Oliver Johnson of King’s College London. However, he cautioned that tighter screening measures and possible travel restrictions could create logistical challenges.
The expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19.
An Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC has recorded about 600 suspected cases and more than 130 deaths, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international concern. The disease is Ebola virus disease.
The situation has already disrupted DR Congo’s World Cup preparations. The team canceled pre-tournament events in Kinshasa and relocated plans to Belgium.
U.S. authorities have also barred entry to non-U.S. passport holders who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the past 21 days, forcing Congo-based staff to depart early.
