DR Congo's Lumumba Vea attends World Cup match against Portugal
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 10:10 AM
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
DR Congo is set to make its World Cup debut on June 17, 2026, after 52 years. Lumumba Vea, known for his statue-like presence during matches, gained attention at this year's Africa Cup of Nations. The country's leadership intervened to ensure he could travel to the United States for the tournament, following a visa denial for an earlier qualifier. DR Congo qualified for the World Cup via an intercontinental playoff in Mexico after defeating Jamaica in March. They face Portugal in a challenging match after their long-awaited return to the World Cup stage.
- •Lumumba Vea stands still like a statue during matches.
- •DR Congo last appeared in the World Cup in 1974.
- •Vea was added to the travel squad after presidential intervention.
- •The team qualified by defeating Jamaica to secure their spot.
- •DR Congo faces Portugal in their opening match.
- 5:05 PMYahoo Sports — DR Congo’s statue superfan won’t be at World Cup game vs Portugal
- 3:44 PMYahoo Sports — Where is Congo's super fan? Why statue-standing supporter isn't at World Cup game vs. Portugal
- 10:10 AMYahoo Sports — Meet the DR Congo super fan who stands like a statue all game
"DR Congo end their 52-year wait to appear in a World Cup final but they will be without the support of their beloved superfan. Lumumba Vea, real name Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, is the DR Congo’s superfan who went viral at the Africa Cup of Nations for standing like a statue for 90 minutes in tribute to the country’s first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba.
"DR Congo will make its first appearance at a World Cup in 52 years on Wednesday, which means the world will be introduced to its most famous fan.
"The Democratic Republic of the Congo gets its tournament underway on Wednesday.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 5:05 PMDR Congo’s statue superfan won’t be at World Cup game vs Portugal
DR Congo end their 52-year wait to appear in a World Cup final but they will be without the support of their beloved superfan. Lumumba Vea, real name Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, is the DR Congo’s superfan who went viral at the Africa Cup of Nations for standing like a statue for 90 minutes in tribute to the country’s first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 3:44 PMWhere is Congo's super fan? Why statue-standing supporter isn't at World Cup game vs. Portugal
The Democratic Republic of the Congo gets its tournament underway on Wednesday.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 10:10 AMMeet the DR Congo super fan who stands like a statue all game
DR Congo will make its first appearance at a World Cup in 52 years on Wednesday, which means the world will be introduced to its most famous fan.
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