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Soccer-Cape Verde keeper Vozinha's mother gets visa to watch son at World Cup

By Reuters Reuters

Updated June 18, 2026 1:12 PM

Ana Candida Evora, the mother of Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha, poses for a photograph with her grandson Marvin Junior and granddaughter Lais Sofia at Cesaria Evora International Airport near Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, before she begins her journey to the United States, June 17, 2026. REUTERS/Davidson Alves — Ana Candida Evora, the mother of Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha, poses for a photograph with her grandson Marvin Junior and granddaughter Lais Sofia at Cesaria Evora International Airport near Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, before she begins her journey to the United States, June 17, 2026. REUTERS/Davidson Alves Davidson Alves Reuters

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MIAMI - The mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha will finally get to watch her son play at the World Cup after receiving a visa to travel to the United States, following his tearful revelation that she missed his heroics against Spain due to travel issues.

Vozinha was Cape Verde's player of the match in their tournament opener after making seven saves to secure a stunning 0-0 draw against European champions Spain in Atlanta.

But the 40-year-old goalkeeper's joy was tempered when he revealed that his mother, Ana Candida Evora, could not witness his standout performance due to a visa problem.

The U.S. State Department stepped in after his emotional disclosure went viral, with officials saying their visa team in Praia was in close contact with Evora and providing necessary services before confirming her approval to travel.

"Consistent with all policies, procedures, and standards, full steam ahead for travel for the game," a State Department official told reporters.

Evora will now be able to watch her son when Cape Verde face Uruguay in their second World Cup group match in Miami on Sunday.

Cape Verde was among dozens of countries whose citizens needed to post bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S. under President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown but that requirement was later dropped for World Cup ticket holders.

However, the high costs had forced Evora to rule out trying to make the trip to Atlanta.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis and Rohith Nair; Editing by Toby Chopra)

Ana Candida Evora, the mother of of Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha, poses for a photograph with other family members, during an interview with Reuters, at her home in Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Davidson Alves — Ana Candida Evora, the mother of of Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha, poses for a photograph with other family members, during an interview with Reuters, at her home in Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Davidson Alves Davidson Alves Reuters

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Spain v Cape Verde - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 15, 2026 Cape Verde's Vozinha celebrates after the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis — Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Spain v Cape Verde - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 15, 2026 Cape Verde's Vozinha celebrates after the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis BRETT DAVIS Reuters

Ana Candida Evora, the mother of of Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha, poses for a photograph with other family members, during an interview with Reuters, at her home in Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Davidson Alves — Ana Candida Evora, the mother of of Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha, poses for a photograph with other family members, during an interview with Reuters, at her home in Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Davidson Alves Davidson Alves Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 12:28 PM.