PORTLAND — On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, over a hundred fans of the Democratic Republic of Congo packed into Aura Sports Grill to watch the country play its first World Cup match in 52 years.

The DRC, which faced Portugal in its opening game, is the only team from central Africa that qualified for the 2026 tournament, the biggest competition in global soccer.

“We are all enjoying the moment,” said Papy Bongibo, who moved to the U.S. in 2002 and recently served as president of the nonprofit Congolese Community of Maine. “It’s our first time seeing the team playing (in the World Cup). So we decided instead of watching it at home alone, why not come together and celebrate?”

While a joyous mood and invigorating chants filled the room, there was a looming presence of recent immigration enforcement actions surrounding Maine’s Congolese community.

Last Tuesday, federal immigration agents detained Billy Bassikissa Bounguiena, a Cumberland County corrections officer originally from the Republic of Congo, which borders the DRC. The Department of Homeland Security said Bassikissa Bounguiena had overstayed his visa, while the sheriff’s office said he was legally authorized to work until 2030 and had been thoroughly vetted.

Bongibo said he knew Bassikissa Bounguiena personally. “He came to the states and did everything on good terms,” Bongibo said. “I just want to tell him that we are supporting him 100%.”

The watch party was organized by the Maine Immigrants’ Right Coalition (MIRC) in partnership with the New England African Arts & Entertainment Community Association, which Bongibo leads. 

“Congo is one of the biggest (immigrant) communities in the state,” said Mufalo Chitam, the executive director of MIRC. “Today is part of our thriving community, part of celebrating culture.”

Chitam noted how her organization has been at the forefront of offering resources to immigrants over the last six months as ICE activity has increased in the state. At the watch party, MIRC set up a table with flyers and pins in both English and French, the official language of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

“We often house (immigrants), but we also have to make sure that people have defense resources and we support them with integration,” Chitam said. “It is very important for us to continue in supporting folks with resources but also making people aware of their rights.”

Despite a Portuguese goal in the sixth minute, the Congolese fans were on their feet the entire time, cheering for every good play and sporting their bright blue jerseys. When Yoane Wissa scored the tying goal right before halftime, the floor of the bar was shaking with fans jumping up and down in celebration, chanting their country’s soccer cheer.

As the final whistle blew on a 1-1 draw against the European powerhouse, Congolese fans poured into the street in jubilation.

“An event like this, it’s just reminding our communities that we do have culture, we do have history and heritage,” Chitam said. “We want our community to celebrate their culture and their countries of origin.”