Democratic Republic of the Congo’s historic place at the 2026 World Cup had brought excitement across the country. Fans looked forward to seeing the nation play on football’s biggest stage for the first time. But that joy has now been overshadowed by a serious health concern.
The country is now facing a fresh Ebola outbreak. The situation has created worries not only for local authorities but also for FIFA and the World Cup organizers in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Only a few weeks ago, Congo’s focus was fully on football. Now the return of the deadly virus has forced the country to shift its attention. Ebola has been seen before in parts of Central Africa and health officials are now watching the situation closely.
The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that the Ebola risk in DR Congo remains very high. However, officials have not declared it a global health emergency.
Health reports have confirmed several dozen Ebola cases in the country so far. Authorities are also tracking nearly 600 suspected cases. The estimated death toll has reached 139.
FIFA also released a statement about the situation.
“FIFA is fully aware of the overall Ebola situation and is closely monitoring developments. We are also maintaining regular contact with the DR Congo Football Association to ensure the team receives all necessary medical and safety guidance.”
FIFA said it is working with authorities in all three host nations to make sure the 2026 World Cup takes place in a safe environment. The organization is coordinating with health and security groups in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, along with the World Health Organization.
The governing body also stressed that protecting the health of everyone involved in the tournament remains its top concern.
DR Congo will play in Group K at the 2026 World Cup. The team will face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.
Their matches are set to take place in Houston, Dallas, and Seattle. The match against Portugal in Houston is expected to draw a huge crowd. That has increased concern among organizers as they continue to monitor the health situation closely.
