The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially asked FIFA for refunds on World Cup 2026 tickets. This request comes as a serious Ebola outbreak has led the United States to implement strict travel bans. These bans prevent many Congolese supporters from entering the US to watch their national team, the Leopards, play.
The Ebola outbreak, declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation on May 16, has led to over 900 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths in central and East Africa. The US embassy in Kinshasa has stopped processing visas. The US government is barring non-American citizens who have recently been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan. This situation directly impacts thousands of Congolese fans who purchased tickets for the World Cup.
This crisis comes at a sensitive time for DR Congo's economy. The country's return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence is a source of national pride. However, the financial burden on fans is significant. World Cup tickets this year are much more expensive, reportedly up to seven times the cost of the 2022 tournament. This is due to FIFA's dynamic pricing model. These travel restrictions mean fans cannot attend the games they paid for. This represents a substantial financial loss for many ordinary citizens.
Veron Mosengo-Omba, the president of DR Congo's football federation (Fecofa), highlighted the urgency. He stated, "We asked FIFA if it is possible to take this into consideration, because the tickets are a little bit expensive." He added, "They are punished because they cannot get [into the US] to see the World Cup to support their team." FIFA's standard policy typically does not offer refunds. It usually allows ticket resales or transfers, except in cases of match cancellations. FIFA has indicated it "will look into it in due course." The urgency is amplified as the Leopards are set to play their first match on June 17.
The implications of this situation extend beyond ticket refunds. Many fans are now rerouting their travel plans to Mexico, where DR Congo's second match will be held. Some may attempt to reach Canada for a potential later match. The national team itself remains unaffected by the travel restrictions. Its players and most staff are based outside DR Congo and have already met health requirements. However, a pre-tournament training camp in Kinshasa had to be cancelled. The team is now assembling in Belgium before heading to Texas.