KINSHASA, DR Congo — The Democratic Republic of Congo Football Federation (Fecofa) has asked FIFA to refund World Cup tickets purchased by Congolese supporters unable to travel to the United States following Ebola-related entry restrictions.
The request comes after U.S. authorities suspended entry for non-American travellers who had recently visited DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan, following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a public health emergency linked to the Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa.
Okay News reports that Fecofa president Veron Mosengo-Omba said many fans risk losing significant amounts spent on tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where DR Congo will make its first appearance in 52 years.
“They are punished because they cannot get into the U.S. to support their team,” Mosengo-Omba told BBC Sport Africa, urging FIFA to consider refunds due to the extraordinary situation.
According to reports, more than 900 suspected Ebola cases and over 200 suspected deaths have been recorded across the region, with most linked to DR Congo. The outbreak has also forced the cancellation of the national team’s pre-tournament training camp in Kinshasa.
Despite the restrictions affecting supporters, DR Congo’s squad remains eligible to participate in the competition because most players and technical staff are based outside the country and have already met travel requirements.
The Leopards are scheduled to face Portugal in Houston on June 17 before taking on Colombia in Mexico and Uzbekistan in Atlanta during the group stage.
FIFA said it is in communication with Fecofa and relevant authorities regarding the situation, while many Congolese supporters are now expected to redirect their travel plans toward matches hosted in Mexico instead of the United States.
