It is not the first problem involving visas and entry at this World Cup. After Somali referee Omar Artan, who had been selected for the World Cup, was denied entry, and there were repeated issues — or even worse situations — involving players and fans, there is now yet another entry scandal.Â
As the French outlet ‘L’Équipe’ and ‘Zoom Eco’ from the Democratic Republic of the Congo both report, Michel Kuka Mboladinga, aka Lumunba Vea, was denied a US visa for DR Congo’s final group match against Uzbekistan. The fan icon had still been present at the previous match against Colombia, which was played in Mexico.Â
📸 David Ramos – 2026 Getty Images
In recent years, the Congolese fan had become an icon thanks to his motionless poses in the stands. “Lumunba Vea” dressed in the style of the former Prime Minister of the DR Congo and always struck an iconic pose associated with the politician, who was murdered in 1961.Â
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