World Cup 2026: Who is the DR Congo superfan?

DR Congo superfan Michel Kuka Mboladinga, better known as Lumumba Vea or the ‘living statue’, is one of the most recognisable spectators attending the 2026 World Cup.

He has received plenty of recognition both at home and globally due to his iconic ability to imitate a statue for the duration of a match involving his team and his distinctive look.

Unable to attend their opening World Cup match due to a mandatory quarantine because of DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak, Mboladinga has been pictured in Mexico in good spirits before the second group-stage match against Colombia, kicking off on Wednesday morning (03:00 BST).

Mboladinga has been pictured completely still for the duration of matches, with one arm raised. While doing so, he wears a jacket, shirt, tie and suit trousers, often recreating the colours of the DR Congo flag.

The stance recreates that of the Lumumba statue housed in the city of Kinshasa, DR Congo’s capital.

The statue is in tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the First Congolese Republic in 1960 – hence Mboladinga’s ‘Lumumba Vea’ nickname.

DR Congo’s superfan has been attending games in the manner he does since 2013, but became famous more recently during the Africa Cup of Nations across December 2025 and January 2026.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.