FIFA World Cup 2026: Cape Verde Goalkeeper Vozinha's Mother Gets US Visa, Set for Dream Reunion

Cape Verde's hero goalkeeper Vozinha had sadly said his mother couldn't watch him play at the FIFA World Cup. Now, after a special intervention by the US government, she has been granted a visa. All her visa fees and the bond amount have been waived.

Miami: Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha became an overnight hero after his team held Spain to a goalless draw in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But his post-match tears were for his mother, who couldn't be there. Now, in a heartwarming turn of events, the US government has stepped in and granted her a visa.

The 40-year-old player had emotionally revealed after the match that his mother couldn't come to watch him play due to tough visa rules and financial problems. After his story went viral, the US government took notice and got directly involved.

Top-level help; rules set aside

On Wednesday, US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries officially announced the good news. He confirmed that Vozinha's mother, Ana Candida Evora, has been given the visa. Jeffries said he spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and asked the State Department to make sure she could watch Cape Verde's next game.

Getting a US visa is a tough deal for an average Cape Verdean citizen. They usually have to deposit a bond of around ₹12.5 lakh. Ana Candida, who works as a home cleaner, just couldn't afford this huge amount, which is why her visa was denied earlier. But the US government treated this as a special case. They have completely waived all visa fees and the bond amount for Vozinha's family. FIFA and the Cape Verde government are now working together to arrange her travel.

The hero who stopped Spain

In their first-ever World Cup match, Cape Verde faced the mighty Spain, who are ranked second in the world. Vozinha was the star of the show, making 8 incredible saves as Spain kept attacking. He was rightly named the Man of the Match. His performance also made him a social media star. Before the match, he had just 50,000 followers on Instagram. Overnight, that number shot up to over 5 million!

Reunion in Miami on Sunday

Cape Verde's next group match is against a strong Uruguay side in Miami this Sunday. And this time, his mother Ana Candida Evora will be in the stands to watch her son play. For Vozinha, who is in the final stages of his career, having his mother at his biggest tournament will be a huge confidence boost for him and the entire team.