Read our Privacy noticeCongo’s famous living statue “Lumumba Vea” will miss his nation’s World Cup play-off against Jamaica on Tuesday because he was unable to get a visa in time. Confirming the news on X, Nkuka Mboladinga wrote: “Unfortunately, even in an emergency situation, obtaining an express visa requires at least one day of processing, and even then, only under specific conditions. Congo reached the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations. After being eliminated by Algeria, the Leopards' attention quickly switched to World Cup qualifying. If Congo beat Jamaica in their play-off, it will be the penultimate team to qualify for the 48-country competition before Iraq plays Bolivia in the last play-off in Monterrey, Mexico.

Source: Express March 31, 2026 12:50 UTC