How the hosts are preparing for an Ebola outbreak during World Cup 2026

Published 7 June 2026 · world

The US, Mexico and Canada have announced Ebola-related travel restrictions before the start of the World Cup. Fans from around the world are starting to

The US, Mexico and Canada have announced Ebola-related travel restrictions before the start of the World Cup. Fans from around the world are starting to arrive in North America for the largest-ever World Cup, but an outbreak of the Ebola virus in East Africa has put health officials in the host nations on high alert. Authorities are racing to contain the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which was first declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on May 15. It has since infected at least 488 people there, causing 86 deaths. The disease has also spread to neighbouring Uganda, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern”. Uganda has confirmed 19 cases and two deaths and has largely closed off its western border with the DRC in an effort to curb cross-border contagion, frustrating traders who rely on border crossings for business. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that the current outbreak could swell to become the largest Ebola epidemic on record, rivalling the 2014-16 epidemic in West Africa. With more than a million fans expected to travel to North America for the World Cup, here’s how authorities in the United States, Canada and Mexico are preparing to stop the spread of Ebola during the tournament. Travel restrictions and airport screening The World Cup host nations announced “aligned public health travel measures for individuals coming from African regions at greatest risk from the Ebola virus”, according to a joint statement from the three countries, which did not provide details of the aligned measures.

In May, the US banned all noncitizens who had travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days from entering the country. This ban was then extended to green card holders who were in those countries in the previous 21 days. A number of US airports, including Washington Dulles and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, have also implemented enhanced screening measures for travellers from affected regions. Canada has temporarily banned residents of the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan from entering the country for ⁠90 days, according to the country’s public health agency. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and other foreign nationals who have been in affected areas in recent weeks and do not have symptoms will ⁠have to quarantine for 21 days, with the new rule kicking in from May 30. Mexico’s health secretary has outlined ⁠tighter Ebola screening measures at airports, urging the public to avoid travel to the DRC and asking arrivals from the country to observe a 21-day quarantine. DRC forced to isolate in Belgium The DRC, who have qualified for their first World Cup since 1974, cancelled a planned pre-World Cup training camp at home due to the Ebola outbreak and have been based in Belgium instead. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, confirmed to ESPN on May 23 that the Congolese delegation must maintain a bubble in Belgium and isolate for 21 days or risk being denied entry to the US.