Health experts have downplayed fears of a major Ebola threat to fans attending the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, although the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is already causing travel disruptions and tighter screening measures ahead of the tournament.

The 48-team World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, comes amid renewed global concern over an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to the World Health Organisation, the outbreak has recorded about 600 suspected cases and more than 130 deaths, prompting the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern.

Despite the alarming figures, Dr Oliver Johnson, a global health academic at King’s College London, said the danger to ordinary World Cup visitors remains very low.

“If you are a casual visitor to the World Cup from around the world, I think there is a very low risk that you would be at risk of Ebola,” Johnson told Reuters.

“Ebola has never really caused transmission in high-income country settings, where there have been very occasional cases. That is because it is not airborne. You normally have to have direct contact with someone who is quite sick, and there is usually good contact tracing.”

The outbreak, however, has already forced adjustments to DR Congo’s World Cup preparations. The Congolese national team cancelled pre-tournament activities planned for Kinshasa and shifted preparations to Belgium.

U.S. immigration measures have also complicated travel arrangements. Authorities have barred entry to non-U.S. passport holders who have recently visited DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the last 21 days, forcing several Congo-based team staff members to leave earlier than planned.

The Congolese squad is expected to arrive in the United States around June 10 or 11 and will establish its training base in Houston.

Johnson warned that while the medical threat may be limited, logistical pressures linked to health checks and travel controls could affect tournament operations.

“It will affect things like airport queues and screening, which will slow things down,” he said. “It is going to add a little extra stress, and it is going to cost money to the U.S. to try and organise.”

He also cautioned that the situation could escalate if the outbreak spreads beyond DR Congo, potentially triggering last-minute travel bans or additional restrictions for teams and supporters.

U.S. authorities have already introduced enhanced screening procedures for travellers arriving through Washington Dulles International Airport from affected countries, while health agencies are reportedly coordinating with FIFA and local organisers on preventive measures.

Johnson urged fans travelling to the World Cup to observe basic hygiene practices, including regular hand washing and avoiding close contact when feeling unwell. He also appealed for tolerance and understanding to avoid discrimination against travellers from affected regions.

DR Congo will begin their World Cup campaign against Portugal in Houston before facing Colombia in Guadalajara and Uzbekistan in Atlanta.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Uncapped Hamburg SV goalkeeper Sander Tangvik has won ‌the race for Norway’s final World Cup spot, following a selection headache that required a final sign-off from King Harald on Thursday.

Otherwise, there were few surprises as Norway will be led by captain Martin ​Odegaard, fresh from a Premier League title victory with Arsenal, and Manchester City ​striker Erling Haaland.

Tangvik was named in Stale Solbakken’s 26-man squad alongside ⁠veteran Orjan Haskjold Nyland and Egil Selvik after intense media speculation surrounding the group ​of shot-stoppers, following a unique squad announcement delivered by the Norwegian monarch via a pre-recorded ​video.

The 23-year-old’s inclusion caps off a chaotic goalkeeper selection process triggered by an injury to SK Brann’s Mathias Dyngeland and FIFA’s rejection of Bodo/Glimt keeper Nikita Haikin’s nationality switch, leaving Tangvik as the only ​uncapped player in the squad.

Midfield and attacking options were boosted by the inclusions of ​Jens Petter Hauge and Thelo Aasgaard. Their selections came at the expense of high-profile omissions, including Toulouse ‌winger ⁠Aron Donnum and Brann’s Felix Horn Myhre, both of whom missed out on the final tournament squad despite participating in the qualifying campaign.

Defensive depth was reinforced by the selections of Sondre Langas and Henrik Falchener, who join stalwarts Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, and Leo Skiri Ostigard.

“I ​didn’t trust it until ​the video was finished. ⁠I didn’t trust the King for a second,” Langas told national broadcaster NRK.

Norway are in World Cup Group I along with France, ​Senegal and Iraq, in what has been labelled the tournament’s “group of ​death”.

Norway squad:

Goalkeepers: ⁠Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV)

Defenders: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), David Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton), Fredrik Bjorkan (Bodo/Glimt), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjorn Heggem (Bologna), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa), Sondre Langas (Derby County), Henrik ⁠Falchener (Viking)

Midfielders: Martin ​Odegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica), Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt), Kristian ​Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Morten Thorsby (Cremonese), Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers)

Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Oscar ​Bobb (Fulham), Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica), Jens Petter Hauge (Bodo/Glimt).

-Reuters

 Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Senegal’s Sadio Mane is a key selection in the 28-man World Cup squad named by coach Pape Thiaw on Thursday as the influential forward looks to make up for lost time, having missed ​the finals four years ago in Qatar through injury.

Thiaw will have to trim his squad ‌by two players ahead of the final deadline towards the end of this month.

Mane remains a leading player for a star-studded Senegal lineup that looks to be the most potent of the 10 African qualifiers for the finals in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, with a blend of experience and youthful athleticism in the squad.

The 34-year-old Al-Nassr player is likely to lead the line, but also selected are Bayern Munich forward Nicolas Jackson, plus Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr.

Bayern’s 18-year-old midfielder Bara Ndiaye has also been called up, but there is no place for Malang Sarr, who has excelled this season with Lens.

Idrissa Gueye, also of Everton, has been included despite missing the tail-end of the season through injury, with Sunderland’s Habib Diarra and Tottenham Hotspur’s Pape Matar Sarr also midfield options.

Experienced centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly has been picked along with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Senegal were the best team at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and edged the hosts 1-0 in a contentious final that was later awarded to the North Africans, a matter that is before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Senegal have been drawn in Group I at the World Cup and open their campaign against France on June 16 in New Jersey in a repeat of their famous 2002 World Cup meeting in which the African side came out on top against the then-holders.

They also take on Norway at the same venue (June 22) and Iraq in Toronto (June 26) in their section.

Senegal reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002, their best showing to date, before losing to Turkey. For several of their so-called ‘Golden Generation’ of players, including Mane, this will likely be their last chance to improve on that.

They went out in the group stage following a drawing of lots in 2018 and in the round of 16 four years ago.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Yehvann Diouf (Nice), Mory Diaw (Le Havre)

Defenders: Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea), El-Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham United), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray)

Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Bara Ndiaye (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Assane Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris St-Germain), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace).

-Reuters

Visit the Sports Village Square Channel:

https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H