DR Congo’s 90-minute ‘standing superfan’ misses historic 2026 FIFA World Cup victory after US visa refusal

Michel Kuka Mboladinga (Image credit: Agencies) NEW DELHI: DR Congo’s most famous football fan Michel Kuka Mboladinga has been ruled out of a crucial FIFA World Cup match against Uzbekistan after he was denied a visa to the United States.Mboladinga, known to fans around the world as “Lumumba Vea”, has become one of the most respected supporters of African football due to his unique way of supporting the team. However, he was forced to miss Congo’s biggest World Cup match despite traveling to support the team earlier in the tournament.The reason for the visa refusal was not disclosed.Congo’s ambassador to Washington, DC, Kapinga Yvette Ngandu told Reuters she hoped Mboladinga would still be able to join the team if Congo continued its World Cup journey.“I hope he brings his own brand of support to the team,” she said.

Mboladinga became an international sensation during the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.Unlike the other supporters who sing and cheer throughout the match, he stands completely still with his hand raised for the entire 90 minutes. His pose is a tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Republic of Congo, who led the country to independence before he was assassinated in 1961.He also dresses in colorful suits inspired by the national flag and bears a striking resemblance to Lumumba. His nickname “Lumumba Vea” comes from this tribute.His unique support has won him admiration throughout the football world. After returning home from the Africa Cup of Nations, the Congolese government even presented him with a four-wheel drive vehicle in recognition of his popularity.

Mbolading’s journey to the World Cup was beset with problems even before the visa was issued.He missed DR Congo’s opening game against Portugal due to travel restrictions and quarantine related to the country’s Ebola outbreak.He eventually arrived in time for Congo’s second group game against Colombia in Guadalajara, where the African side lost 1-0.But he was unable to travel to Atlanta for Saturday’s must-win game against Uzbekistan after failing to secure a US visa.

Even without their most famous supporter in the stands, DR Congo produced one of the biggest results of the tournament.After falling behind to an early goal by Eldor Shomurodov, Congo fought back in the second half to win 3-1.In the 68th minute, after a foul in the penalty area, Yoane Wiss equalized from the penalty spot. Fiston Mayele then put Congo ahead before Wissa scored again in stoppage time to seal a famous victory.The victory sent DR Congo into the round of 32 for the first time in the country’s history.It is only Congo’s second appearance at the FIFA World Cup and their first since competing as Zaire in 1974, when they lost all three of their group games.The win also made DR Congo the eighth African nation to reach the knockout stages of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup.