On June 1st, the USA sent an official diplomatic message — a demarche — to European capitals with a demand to introduce entry restrictions for persons arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and other affected countries. On June 9th, Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally discussed the situation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to a State Department spokesperson, if Europe does not act, the USA may tighten entry conditions for Europeans — in particular for the World Cup championship, which opens this week.
What is happening with the outbreak
This time it concerns the Bundibugyo virus — one of the types of Ebola with a fatality rate of 30 to 50%. According to the WHO as of June 9, 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed 550 cases and 101 deaths, Uganda has 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths. The most affected province is Ituri: 518 out of 550 cases. One confirmed patient is a healthcare worker from the USA who was treating patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo — is currently undergoing treatment in Germany. In May, the WHO recognized the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
What the USA has done — and what it expects from Europe
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already banned entry to foreigners from three affected countries and introduced mandatory screening for American citizens at certain airports. Canada has suspended issuing entry permits to foreigners from affected regions. Mexico chose a middle path: screening in World Cup host cities plus a recommendation to avoid traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Washington expects similar measures from Europe. However, the EU has not yet introduced continent-wide bans — instead, it has focused on coordination and targeted inspections. Belgium and other countries with direct flights from Africa have strengthened airport protocols, but without complete entry bans.
Paradox: WHO against bans
The EU's position has an unexpected ally. As Reuters reports, the WHO itself has called on countries not to introduce general entry bans, arguing that they break supply chains and complicate crisis response — that is, they make the outbreak harder to control, not easier.
"Fear of Ebola is amplified by the media disproportionately to the actual risk to tourists. The real risk is not that a fan will be infected at the stadium, but that restrictions undermine confidence in the event."
Victor Mathieson, economics professor at College of the Holy Cross (USA), sports event market analyst
What is at stake for the 2026 World Cup
The championship covers 16 cities in three countries — 11 in the USA, 3 in Mexico, 2 in Canada — and is expected to attract millions of international viewers. If the USA really does tighten entry conditions for citizens of countries that "failed to meet requirements," the primary targets will be tourists from EU countries with large African diasporas — France, Belgium, Portugal. For them, a trip to a match could turn into a bureaucratic marathon with additional tests, quarantine, or entry denial.
Economist Mathieson warns: the real threat to World Cup revenues is not the virus itself, but uncertainty about the rules. Tickets have been purchased, hotels booked, flights planned. If rules change weekly, losses from cancellations and postponements could exceed direct losses from any medical incidents.
The key question for the coming weeks: will the EU agree to American conditions before the group stage opening — or will the State Department really dare to restrict entry for citizens of allies in the midst of the largest sports tournament in the history of the USA?
