DRC National Football Team Cleared for 2026 FIFA World Cup

FIFA clears Congolese team for World Cup amid Ebola outbreak

FIFA and the Congolese football federation (FECOFA) confirmed that all players and most coaching staff — based in Europe — meet U.S. sanitary protocols for the 2026 World Cup, as the DRC Ebola outbreak (200+ deaths, Ituri province) has been declared a WHO public health emergency. Teams hosting DRC players or traveling to Group K matches (Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia) should monitor WHO advisories, as the Bundibugyo strain has 30–50% mortality and no approved vaccine or treatment.