US Allows DR Congo Football Team Entry for World Cup Amid Ebola Travel Ban

Washington DC. The United States will allow the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DR Congo) national football team to enter the country to play in the 2026 World Cup, despite an Ebola infection travel ban. A senior US State Department official said that Congo's team would be allowed to participate in the World Cup. "We expect the DR Congo team to be able to attend the World Cup," he said, on condition of anonymity, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The US had recently banned entry for non-US citizens who had been in DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan within the last 21 days. This step was taken in view of the deadly Ebola infection spread in these countries. However, US officials said that the DR Congo football team is currently training in Europe, so they may not fall under the ban.