Congo-ing Discussions - Congo Launch Special Mission to Bring Famous Fan ‘Lumumba’ to the World Cup
DR Congo Make Special Request for 'Lumumba' to Head to America
DR Congo themselves have reportedly made a special request for 'Lumumba' to join them at the FIFA World Cup this summer, after the superfan's visa was denied in March to block him from supporting the side in Mexico for their qualifying win against Jamaica in Mexico.
The request has reportedly come from the players to the president, who wish to have the famous fan in their stands as they square off against Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K of the World Cup.
According to rumours on X, DR Congo are willing to include 'Lumumba' amongst the sides official delegation travelling to the United States, Canada and Mexico for the tournament and covering his expenses whilst travelling across the Americas this summer.
Who is Lumumba? DR Congo Fan Figure Wins National Hearts
Lumumba Vea was unable to be there for DR Congo's dramatic playoff final success against Jamaica in Guadalajara, Mexico having failed to obtain a visa in time to make the trip.
He had made trips to Kenya and Ethiopia in a bid to fast-track the process with the help of Sports Minister Didier Budimbu, but the minimum one-day of processing for an express visa coupled with the travel times of between 18 and 30 hours from DR Congo to Mexico meant there was no way for him to attend.
🚨 DR Congo’s players have made a special request to the President. 🇨🇩
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) April 6, 2026
They want to see Lumumba accompany the team during the World Cup — even if it means officially including him in the delegation and covering everything needed for his presence. 👏😍
Pure class. We'll get to… pic.twitter.com/I2dyfwvFDH
He instead spent the game, stood in his typical famous stance, a tribute to the assassinated former Prime Minister of his country, watching his nation make it to the World Cup in front of a screen with hundreds of his fellow residents from Kinshasa.
DR Congo won the game in the 100th minute thanks to a strike from Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe, ending a 52-year absence from the World Cup finals.
The national celebration that followed was extraordinary. The 1st of April, April Fool's Day to many, was marked as a public holiday across the entire country, and president Felix Tshisekedi even rewarded players and staff with cars and land. The Leopards had made history, but they would go into the summer of sport without their key supporter, which the players were not having.
DR Congo Make Special Request for Lumumba to Travel
On the 5th of April, 2026, the DR Congo squad made a formal request to President Tshisekedi for Lumumba Vea to travel as part of the squad's official delegation for the tournament this summer, with all arrangements and expenses to be covered at state level, as per Daily Sports.
'Lumumba' became a social media star at AFCON, particularly after Mohamed Amoura ran to the Congolese supporters after Algeria's late winner against them and mocked his famous pose, which was widely condemned across the sport.
DR Congo's players wish to bring his indelible support with them across the Americas this summer with special dispensation. After 52 years, The Leopards are finally back at the World Cup, and they want Lumumba Vea to be right there with them.
Harry Pascoe 
Alec Hayward 
