U.S. urges Europe to impose Ebola travel bans before FIFA World Cup

The Trump administration asked European governments to follow the United States’ lead and block entry for people who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, aiming to prevent the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. On 1 June the U.S. delivered a formal diplomatic note urging the EU to adopt travel restrictions, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had already barred non‑citizens from those three countries for the previous 21 days and required U.S. travelers to undergo screening at selected airports.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized protecting the American public and pledged more than $200 million and 150 tons of medical supplies to the Ebola response, making Washington the largest financial contributor. EU officials have not yet confirmed a response, and the travel‑ban request is part of broader coordination efforts ahead of a World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.