Ebola Unlikely Threat as 2026 World Cup Draws Near

Health experts consider the risk of Ebola being introduced during the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be very low, although not entirely negligible. US authorities say hospitals and public health agencies are prepared to respond if a case were detected.

The tournament, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to attract millions of fans from around the world.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health bodies have identified measles, COVID-19 and seasonal influenza as more likely health threats. Nevertheless, the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where hundreds of people have been infected, continues to draw attention.

Following the 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, the United States invested hundreds of millions of dollars in strengthening its preparedness. Thousands of healthcare workers received specialized training and dedicated treatment centers were established to manage potential Ebola cases.

Tournament organizers and local authorities have also implemented measures to monitor infectious diseases. Preparations include emergency response exercises, public health assessments and surveillance systems designed to detect potential outbreaks. Experts stress, however, that containing the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of international spread.

(reuters, bak)