Viral DR Congo fan will not attend World Cup play-off in Mexico due to visa issues

The DR Congo fan often known as Lumumba Vea, who turned an internet sensation throughout the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, will be not be current for his nation’s World Cup play-off towards Jamaica in Guadalajara after failing to safe a visa for entry into Mexico.

Lumumba Vea, actual identify Michel Kuka Mboladinga, is thought for his snappy fits and for his capacity to maintain a statuesque pose — a tribute to former DR Congo prime minister Patrice Lumumba — for whole matches.

He was planning to be on the Estadio Akron for Tuesday’s recreation however has revealed on social media that he was unable to make the journey for administrative causes.

“It is with deep regret that I must inform you that I will not be going to Mexico after all,” he wrote on X, occurring to describe a last-ditch try to safe a visa by travelling to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

“Unfortunately, even in an emergency, obtaining an express visa requires at least one day’s processing,” he wrote. “Considering the duration of the journey to Mexico (…) it seemed impossible to me to arrive in time and carry out this mission properly.”

A supply shut to Kuka Mboladinga informed The Athletic that the Visa issues centred across the necessity of together with of financial institution statements in his utility. Having travelled to Kenya in order to fly to Mexico, he was unable to produce the required paperwork in time.

Instead, Kuka Mboladinga has returned to Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo, and will be keen the staff on from there.

“Whether near or far, we remain united behind our Leopards,” he wrote.

DR Congo reached the inter-confederation play-offs by defeating Nigeria in the second spherical of African qualifying. They are looking for their second look on the World Cup, having certified in 1974 — when the nation was often known as Zaire — shedding all three of their video games towards Scotland, Yugoslavia and Brazil.