Vozinha's Mother Gets Visa, Goalkeeper's Instagram Soars to Nearly 14 Million Followers

Cape Verde's national team goalkeeper, Vozinha, expressed his immense joy after his mother secured a US visa, allowing her to watch him play against Uruguay at the World Cup this weekend.

The 40-year-old shot-stopper emerged as one of the early stars of the 2026 World Cup, making magnificent saves that helped the African nation secure a surprising draw against European champions Spain in Atlanta.

However, after that match, he broke down in tears, mourning the loss of his grandparents who raised him, and lamenting that his mother, Ana Candida Evora, couldn't witness his heroic performance in person due to the cost of obtaining a visa. The US State Department intervened after his emotional post-match comments went viral on social media. On Thursday, officials confirmed that Evora had been granted travel approval, Reuters reported.

The "Blue Sharks" play their second group stage match of the World Cup on Sunday, and Vozinha's mother, who is en route to the US from Cape Verde's capital, Praia, will now be in the stands at the Miami stadium. "For me, this is very important because my whole family always supports me in everything," Vozinha told reporters at the team's training camp.

"And it's special for me to have her here. My father is also here, as is my brother, so I'm very happy. I wish I could bring more relatives, but I think sometimes it's difficult," he added.

Cape Verde was among dozens of countries whose citizens were required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the US under President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration measures, but this requirement was later waived for World Cup ticket holders.

Vozinha's performance in Atlanta saw his Instagram followers skyrocket from 50,000 before Monday's match to 13.7 million by Thursday. The goalkeeper, who was mobbed by compatriots seeking selfies before training, was more focused on managing the commotion as the team prepared to face another former World Cup-winning side, Uruguay, on Sunday.

"I've always been a focused person," he said. "Of course, it's not easy to deal with all of this, but I try not to get too involved and spend as little time as possible on my phone and social media. Because I'm here for the national team, for football, for the World Cup. This is a dream I've had since childhood, and now I'm living it. I don't think there can be anything more important than this to distract me from my focus. I'm very grateful for everything, but please, let's talk about football," he added.

Vozinha, who is currently without a club after his contract with Portuguese second-division side Chaves expired, stated that Cape Verde's ambitions extend beyond merely drawing with Spain. "We are here to compete," he said. "I don't think we can set the bar unrealistically high, because we know we are from a small country, a small national team. But we have a lot of quality and we are ambitious."

Ludogorets and Cape Verde midfielder Deroy Duarte added that everyone is thrilled with Vozinha's performances. "Vozinha is a very good person," he said. "We are all happy for him. I think this match changed his life. So, no, it's more a matter of happiness and it shows what the World Cup can do, and I think that's it. We're just happy for him."