While the International Football Federation (FIFA) continues to insist the tournament will proceed as normal, many countries and international health agencies have begun implementing emergency control measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
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| Medical personnel check people's temperatures in an effort to control the Ebola outbreak in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 19, 2026. Photo: THX/VNA |
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is escalating, with over 139 deaths and more than 600 suspected cases under testing. This outbreak is linked to a rare strain of Ebola called Bundibugyo, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an "international public health emergency," raising the Ebola alert level in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the highest level and warning that vaccine development could take months.
In this context, the Congo national team – qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 – was forced to cancel its planned training camp in the capital Kinshasa and move its entire preparation to Belgium. Team spokesperson Jerry Kalemo said the decision was made to ensure the safety of players and coaching staff amid the spreading pandemic.
However, the US has implemented strict entry controls for the Congolese team. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House's 2026 World Cup task force, stated that the Congolese team must undergo a full 21-day quarantine in Belgium before being allowed to enter the US to participate in the tournament. Washington warned that any violation of the quarantine procedure could result in the Congolese team being barred from the World Cup. Giuliani emphasized that the US had clearly communicated this position to FIFA, the Congolese government , and the Congolese football federation, and demanded strict adherence to a "health safety bubble" before the team arrives in Houston on June 11th.
FIFA said it is closely monitoring the outbreak and maintaining regular contact with the Congo Football Federation to ensure that all health and security requirements are fully implemented. FIFA is also coordinating with the United States, Canada, and Mexico to ensure the tournament takes place "safely and securely."
However, behind the official statements, concerns continue to mount about the risk of the disease spreading beyond the local area and directly impacting the 2026 World Cup. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a temporary 30-day entry ban for foreign nationals who have been to Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past three weeks.
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| The mascots for the 2026 World Cup were unveiled at the draw ceremony (from left to right): Canadian moose, Mexican jaguar, and American bald eagle. (Illustrative photo: THX/TTXVN) |
The epidemic is also causing serious instability in Congo. At Rwampara Hospital near Bunia, the epicenter of the outbreak in Ituri province, riots broke out after relatives of a young man suspected of dying from Ebola tried to take his body home for burial but were prevented by authorities who feared a high risk of infection. Some people threw stones at medical staff, set fire to isolation tents, and forced police to fire warning shots to control the situation.
The Ebola outbreak has also spread to Uganda, where two cases have been confirmed and authorities have temporarily closed several border crossings with Congo. Water transport on the Semliki River has also been completely suspended.
According to the schedule, the Congo national team is expected to play their World Cup opening match against Portugal in Houston, USA, on June 17th, before facing Colombia and Uzbekistan. Although team officials say that most players are currently playing in Europe and are at little risk of being directly affected by the disease, staff and officials who have recently returned to Congo may face strict quarantine regulations upon entering the United States.
According to VNA/News and Ethnic Minorities Newspaper
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/the-thao/202605/world-cup-2026-noi-lo-dich-ebola-phu-bong-12544ba/
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