{"id":710298,"date":"2026-06-17T22:51:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T22:51:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/710298\/"},"modified":"2026-06-17T22:51:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T22:51:13","slug":"u-s-government-working-to-ensure-vozinhas-mom-can-attend-second-world-cup-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/710298\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. government working to ensure Vozinha\u2019s mom can attend second World Cup game"},"content":{"rendered":"

United States government officials say they are working to get the mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to the U.S. so that she can watch her son play at the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Vozinha\u2019s mom was unable to witness his heroic performance in a 0-0 draw with Spain. But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement Wednesday that she will join the team in Miami ahead of Sunday\u2019s match against Uruguay.<\/p>\n

The 40-year-old, who plays for Portuguese second division side Chaves, was the star in Atlanta on Monday as he made seven saves in his nation\u2019s first World Cup appearance.<\/p>\n

After the match, Vozinha said<\/a> visa issues stopped his mother Ana Candida Evora from witnessing his heroics in person. The U.S. State Department said Tuesday that, while it had been working to secure her arrival in the country, it had \u201cno record\u201d of Vozinha\u2019s mom applying for a visa.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, the State Department said: \u201cWe can confirm our visa team in Praia (Cape Verde\u2019s capital) is in close touch with her and providing the needed service.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe U.S. rules changed and we had to pay a very big tax to bring my mum here and other brothers I have,\u201d Vozinha said to reporters immediately after the game. \u201cWe could not do this in time. I will try to get this done at least for them to be here in our last game of the group phase so they can be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Due to the \u201cVisa Bond Pilot Program\u201d introduced by President Trump\u2019s administration, nationals from 50 countries, including Cape Verde, are required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 to be granted a tourist visa to enter the U.S.<\/p>\n

In May, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said that the Trump administration \u201chas waived the visa bond requirement for qualifying team members, including players, coaches, and support staff who otherwise meet all requirements for entry into the U.S.\u201d The State Department also told The Athletic in May that access would be provided for immediate relatives.<\/p>\n

Jeffries, who has served as House Minority Leader and leader of the House Democratic Caucus since 2023, posted Wednesday that he had spoken to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo mother should miss the chance to see her child make history\u201d, Jeffries said, adding that as a result of his discussions with Rubio: \u201cAll fees (for Vozinha\u2019s mother) have been waived consistent with official policy. Travel arrangements are now being made for mother and son to reunite in Miami.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Goalkeeper<\/p>\n

\n Vozinha was the star of Cape Verde\u2019s 0-0 draw against European champions Spain on Monday. (Maddie Meyer \u2014 FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Vozinha was visibly emotional on the pitch following the draw. \u201cI 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.<\/p>\n

Vozinha, whose two-decade career has included spells at club teams in Cape Verde, Moldova, Slovakia and Cyprus, became the oldest player to make an appearance in a nation\u2019s debut World Cup game at the age of 40 years and 12 days old.<\/p>\n

The 91-time Cape Verde international has gained significant traction since his tournament debut. His Instagram account<\/a> before the match had 50,000 followers but, at the time of writing three days later, it has grown to 12.6 million.<\/p>\n

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, meanwhile, criticized the U.S. travel restrictions which prevented fans of his and other African nations from attending the World Cup, speaking after his side\u2019s defeat by France on Monday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true that some supporters couldn\u2019t fly to America,\u201d Koulibaly said. \u201cI think that every team can have their people, so I don\u2019t understand why people from Africa cannot have their people.\u201d<\/p>\n

In December, Trump signed a proclamation which imposed partial travel bans on Senegal, with Ivory Coast, Iran and Haiti being the other World Cup teams whose residents are subject to travel bans.<\/p>\n