DR Congo will face England in the Round of 32 - but their iconic human statue won't be there.
The human statue that follows DR Congo far and wide has seen his team at the 2026 World Cup when the country played in Mexico, but won't be able to attend the knockout fixture in Atlanta.
So, who is Michel Nkuka Mboladinga? What is his story? And why did he decide to become the living statue?
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Who is the DR Congo human statue?
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, known for his human statue routine, is a supporter and native of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nkuku first appeared to showcase his routine in 2013, standing still amongst the crowd, and has done so ever since.
Often, Nkuka Mboladinga stands on a platform in the crowd, elevated above his fellow fans, and remains entirely motionless.
He typically wears a suit or outfit that is colour-coded to match the Democratic Republic of Congo's flag.
In interviews given to interested media, Nkuka Mboladinga has stated that his act is in tribute to Patrice Lumumba.
Lumumba served as the first Prime Minister of the First Congolese Republic, and had a statue erected in 2002 in Kinshasa.
The politician was assassinated in 1961, after serving as the leader of the Congolese National Movement for the three preceding years.
The DR Congo Statue fell after Algeria’s last minute goal. pic.twitter.com/nyxAUj5bsrJanuary 6, 2026
The human statue gained notoriety during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, as DR Congo made it to the Round of 16.
Hilariously, or tragically, Nkuka Mboladinga fell in a similar fashion to when Woody hears Andy's footsteps in Toy Story, as Algeria scored a 119th-minute winner.
The DR Congo faithful will hope for a better showing against England, but one thing is guaranteed — as long as there is hope, the human statue will remain standing, wherever that may be.
Why is DR Congo human statue not at England game?
'Lumumba Vea', as he is known, has more than 280,000 followers on Instagram and acts as an official ambassador for the nation’s football federation, but as things stand, he will not be able to attend the match against England.
Nkuka Mboladinga has been denied entry to the United States. An ongoing Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has led to heightened screening, quarantine measures and visa hold-ups.
