Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s mother will reunite with her son in the United States after officials waived visa fees.
The development allows Ana Candida Evora to travel and watch him play in the World Cup. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced the news, confirming all fees have been waived and travel arrangements are underway for her to reach Miami in time for Cape Verde’s next match against Uruguay.
The heartfelt story began after Cape Verde’s opening game. In their historic debut, the island nation held Spain to a 0-0 draw. The 40-year-old keeper, whose full name is Josimar José Évora Dias, produced a string of fine saves to earn man of the match. His performance captured the world’s attention and sent his social media following soaring into the millions.
Yet Vozinha could not fully celebrate. After the final whistle, tears flowed as he spoke about family members missing the moment. He grew up with his grandparents, who have since passed away. Their absence weighed heavily on him during this proud achievement for Cape Verde.
“I cried after the game because I grew up with my grandparents when I was a kid, and they could not be there. They passed away a few years ago. They were everything for me, for my life,” Vozinha said. He also explained the situation with his mother.
“My mum could not be here either for a visa issue, and the money we had to pay for it. We did not manage to do this in time. I would like her to be here,” he added. The family faced real financial hurdles with the visa requirements, and time simply ran out before the opener in Atlanta.
His honest words touched people everywhere. Supporters from many countries followed his story and celebrated his heroics between the posts. The veteran keeper’s calm leadership helped a small nation stand firm against one of the world’s strongest teams.
US officials have now stepped in quickly after learning of the situation, allowing Vozinha’s mother to join him for the Uruguay game on Sunday in Miami.
Fans have showered Vozinha with great support, earning him nearly 13 million followers on Instagram by the time of this publication. He entered the first game with around 50,000 followers, and the number grew rapidly afterward.
Cape Verde is an island country of just over 500,000 people, and this means fans from around the world have supported the keeper by following him.
This moment reminds everyone of football’s human side. From a viral hero keeping a clean sheet to a son reuniting with his mother, the game connects people in powerful ways. Vozinha and his family can now create new memories together as the tournament unfolds.
