Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on May 25, that her Government will implement strict epidemiological surveillance and sanitary filters during the World Cup for tourists and members of the DRC’s national football team.

This decision directly responds to a recent Ebola outbreak detected in the African nation, which the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) has declared a public health emergency of international concern, as the World Cup 2026 approaches.

During her press conference, the Mexican President unequivocally stated that the country will maintain a policy of reception rooted in solidarity among peoples, explicitly ruling out visa blockades or border closures for Congolese citizens.

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Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that the established protocol will prioritize timely prevention and comprehensive medical monitoring of all travelers at national entry points. This approach guarantees both the robust security of the local population and the dignified treatment of all visitors, aligning with Mexico’s commitment to international cooperation and humanitarian principles.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s national football team has already adjusted its logistical preparations for the World Cup 2026, a tournament where Mexico will serve as one of the principal host nations. Faced with the expansion of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in eastern Congo, the African squad made the crucial decision to suspend its training sessions in the capital, Kinshasa. Instead, the team opted to relocate its training camps outside its national territory, a strategic move designed to significantly reduce the risks of contagion before embarking on their international commitments and travel to the host countries.

Text reads: “The risk of Ebola infections during the World Cup 2026 worries about the massive arrival of international visitors and the incubation period of the disease, warned infectologist Francisco Moreno.”

Mexico’s commitment to public health is evident in the proactive measures undertaken by its Health Ministry. The Ministry has issued a preventive travel advisory and immediately activated sophisticated monitoring mechanisms across the country’s international airports. Health authorities meticulously detailed that, despite the risk of Ebola dispersion within Mexican territory remaining at a low level, medical personnel are already equipped with specific clinical guides and possess the installed technical capacity required to detect and isolate any suspected case promptly and effectively.

A significant factor mitigating the direct risk to the Mexican population and the broader World Cup community is the professional profiles of many Congolese footballers. The majority of players called up to the Congolese squad compete actively in various European leagues, which inherently diminishes their direct exposure to the zones of active Ebola transmission within the DRC.

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