Host Nations of 2026 World Cup Prepare for Ebola Outbreak from East Africa

Fans from around the world are beginning to pour into North America for the largest World Cup ever, but an Ebola outbreak in East Africa has put host-nation health officials on high alert.

Officials are racing to contain the rare Bundibugyo strain. First declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on May 15, it has infected at least 488 people and caused 86 deaths there. The disease has spread to neighboring Uganda, which has recorded 19 cases and 2 deaths, prompting Uganda to nearly close its western border with the DRC to prevent cross-border infection, disrupting traders reliant on the crossings.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern." The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns the current outbreak could become the largest Ebola epidemic in history, rivaling or surpassing the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak.

With more than one million fans expected in North America for the World Cup, here is how the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are preparing to prevent the spread of Ebola during the tournament.

Travel Restrictions and Airport Screening

The three host nations have announced "coordinated public health travel measures" for people arriving from Ebola-risk areas in Africa, according to a joint statement.

Since May, the U.S. has banned entry for non-citizens who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days. The ban was later extended to green-card holders who stayed in those countries within the 21-day window. Some airports, including Washington Dulles and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, have intensified screening for travelers from affected areas.

Canada has temporarily banned residents of the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan from entering for 90 days, and requires Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreigners who have been in affected areas to quarantine for 21 days starting May 30.

Mexico has tightened airport Ebola screening, urged its citizens to avoid travel to the DRC, and mandated a 21-day quarantine for arrivals from that country.

DRC Team Forced to Quarantine in Belgium

The DRC national team, making its first World Cup appearance since 1974, canceled its pre-tournament training camp at home due to the outbreak and instead based itself in Belgium. Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House World Cup Task Force, confirmed that the DRC delegation must live in a "bubble" in Belgium and quarantine for 21 days, or else face denial of entry to the U.S.

Preparation plans were further disrupted when a scheduled friendly match against Chile in Spain was canceled due to virus concerns. Juan Franco, mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion in southern Spain, said he signed a decree banning the match scheduled for June 9. DRC coach Sebastien Desabre offered to play without spectators. During the tournament, the team will be based in Houston, Texas, playing its Group K opener against Portugal on June 17, facing Colombia on June 24 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and meeting Uzbekistan on June 28 in Atlanta, U.S.

Disease Surveillance

The Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases at Boston University will monitor the World Cup to track disease outbreaks. The center's BEACON program aims to "keep public health officials, participants, and the global community informed, safe, and one step ahead."

The National Special Pathogens System (NSPS) is also conducting simulations of disease response during the tournament, focusing on a scenario of a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak during the World Cup. The drill emphasized "the importance of timely action, coordinated efforts, and comprehensive planning."

Very Low Risk to Fans

Despite the measures, health experts are not overly concerned about the risk to fans traveling to North America this summer. "If you come to the World Cup as a casual visitor from around the world, your risk of catching Ebola is very low," Oliver Johnson, a global health expert at King's College London, told Reuters. "Ebola has never caused transmission in high-income countries, where there are often sporadic imported cases. The virus is not airborne; you have to have direct contact with a very sick patient, and contact tracing is usually strong. If cases arise, they will be identified quickly."

Johnson advised fans attending the tournament to follow basic precautions such as good hand hygiene and avoiding close contact if feeling unwell.