{"id":708460,"date":"2026-06-17T00:10:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T00:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/708460\/"},"modified":"2026-06-17T00:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T00:10:14","slug":"state-department-says-its-trying-to-help-cape-verde-goalkeepers-mother-get-to-us-for-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/708460\/","title":{"rendered":"State Department says it\u2019s trying to help Cape Verde goalkeeper\u2019s mother get to US for the World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/p>\n

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha said his mother could not afford the visa bond to watch his World Cup debut.
\n The State Department is now reaching out to help the family after learning no visa application was filed.
\n Vozinha became an overnight sensation after his performance helped Cape Verde draw with Spain.<\/p>\n

\n AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor.<\/p>\n

\n The US State Department is trying to help get Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha\u2019s mother to the United States to watch her son play in the World Cup, a State Department official said Tuesday.\n <\/p>\n

\n Vozinha said after Cape Verde\u2019s shocking draw with Spain <\/a>on Monday that his mother was not able to attend the match because she could not afford the bond payment for a visa.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cShe didn\u2019t manage to be here because of the visa \u2026 the money we have to pay for the visa,\u201d he told reporters after the match. \u201cWe didn\u2019t manage on time, and I would like her to be here.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n Cape Verde is one of 50 countries whose citizens are required by the Trump administration to pay a bond of up to $15,000, because of allegations of high rates of overstaying their visas.\n <\/p>\n

\n When asked about Vozinha\u2019s comments, the official said there was no record of a visa request for the player\u2019s mother. The official also noted that the bond is waived for \u201call relatives of players.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cThe US Department of State has no record of this individual applying for a visa. All relatives of players are eligible for visa bond waivers, and the Department is actively reaching out to this player\u2019s family to assist with visa services,\u201d the official said.\n <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

\n A source familiar with the matter said their understanding is that Vozinha\u2019s mother does not currently have an active passport and is in the process of obtaining one.\n <\/p>\n

\n The State Department notes on its website<\/a> that \u201cthe bond requirement will be waived for athletes and team members \u2013 including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives \u2013 who are nationals of countries\u202fthat are competing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and demonstrate that they meet all requirements for the visa.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s a whirlwind rise for Vozinha, a 40-year-old who plays in the Portuguese second division. He made seven saves against Spain, stifling the tournament favorites in his country\u2019s first World Cup match.\n <\/p>\n

\n Many expected Vozinha and Cape Verde to be blown away by the European champions, in the vein of Germany beating tournament debutants Cura\u00e7ao 7-1 on Sunday. Instead, Vozinha and his defenders frustrated the talented Spanish attack for 90 minutes and held on for the most important result in their country\u2019s soccer history.\n <\/p>\n

\"Cape<\/p>\n

\n The nation of around 530,000 people celebrated and much of the world danced along with them, leading to a quick rise in fame for the previously unheralded keeper.\n <\/p>\n

\n With some encouragement from a Brazilian broadcaster, Vozinha\u2019s Instagram<\/a> has grown from around 50,000 followers to more than 9.7 million as of Tuesday afternoon.\n <\/p>\n

\n Cape Verde next takes the field at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday against Uruguay in Miami.\n <\/p>\n