FIFA is facing a formal request from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) to refund tickets purchased for the 2026 World Cup after travel restrictions linked to the Ebola outbreak disrupted plans for supporters who expected to travel for matches in the United States, according to international media outlet, Deutsche Welle.
DR Congo’s football federation (Fecofa) argues that fans should not be left to bear the financial burden after buying tickets under FIFA’s dynamic pricing system, saying they should not be made to “lose everything” due to circumstances beyond their control. The appeal follows US entry restrictions affecting travellers from DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, measures introduced in response to public health concerns linked to Ebola risks, which have effectively blocked large groups of supporters from entering host venues in the United States.
FIFA has acknowledged receipt of the request and said it will review the matter, although its established ticketing framework generally prioritises resale and transfer mechanisms rather than direct refunds once purchases are completed. The governing body has not indicated any immediate deviation from that policy, but discussions are ongoing, given the exceptional nature of the restrictions affecting multiple fan bases.
The disruption comes at a significant moment for DR Congo, whose national team, the Leopards, are preparing for their first World Cup appearance since 1974. While supporter travel has been severely constrained, team operations remain unaffected, as players and technical staff are largely based abroad and therefore not subject to the same entry limitations. Federation officials, who travelled from DR Congo ahead of the tournament preparations, have also reportedly completed a 21-day quarantine protocol as part of health compliance measures.
With access to US venues curtailed for many supporters, a growing number of Congolese fans are expected to shift their attention to fixtures hosted in Mexico, where travel conditions are comparatively less restrictive. The situation has raised broader questions around the interaction between public health policy, international mobility rules, and FIFA’s commercial ticketing model in multi-host tournaments.
