US to let DR Congo team in for World Cup despite Ebola restrictions
The United States will allow the Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team to travel for the World Cup despite existing Ebola-related entry restrictions. A senior State Department official confirmed that the team would undergo strict screening protocols if they had been in the DRC recently. However, this exemption does not extend to fans from the DRC wishing to attend the matches.
- ▪The US has banned non-Americans who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days due to Ebola.
- ▪The DRC team has been training in Europe, which may exempt them from the ban.
- ▪The DRC has qualified for the World Cup for only the second time, with their first appearance in 1974.
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US to let DR Congo team in for World Cup despite Ebola restrictionsSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxFans welcoming the Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team in Kinshasa on April 5 after they qualified for the 2026 World Cup. PHOTO: REUTERSPublished May 20, 2026, 06:55 AMUpdated May 20, 2026, 06:55 AMWASHINGTON - The United States will ensure that the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) team are able to travel to play in the World Cup, making an exemption to an entry ban over Ebola, a US official said on May 19.“We expect the DRC team to be able to attend the World Cup,” a senior State Department official said on condition of anonymity.The United States has banned non-Americans who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.