Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is set to be reunited with his mother ahead of the country’s World Cup clash against Uruguay on Sunday in Miami.
The 40-year-old produced a stunning player-of-the-match display as Cape Verde earned a famous goalless draw against Spain in their debut World Cup appearance.
After the match, Vozinha revealed his mother had been unable to attend the tournament due to the high cost of obtaining a US visa, an admission that deeply moved football fans around the world.
Cape Verde is one of five nations at the tournament whose citizens must pay a refundable visa deposit of around £11,000, although fans with match tickets were exempted from that rule in May.
US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced that the visa fees have now been waived and that travel arrangements are being made for Vozinha’s mother to come to Miami.
“No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history,” said Jeffries on X, before confirming he had spoken directly with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to resolve the situation.
“It is a privilege to announce that Vozinha’s mom will be able to secure a visa in time to attend the game this Sunday against Uruguay,” said Jeffries, adding that all fees had been waived consistent with official policy.
“I thank Secretary Rubio, US State Department officials, the government of Cape Verde and Fifa for working together to make this possible,” added the Brooklyn Congressman.
A US State Department official also confirmed: “We can confirm our visa team in Praia is in close touch with her and providing the needed services.”
Vozinha had spoken with great emotion after the Spain draw, revealing the match carried profound personal significance beyond just the football itself.
“I cried because I grew up with my grandparents,” he said. “Unfortunately, they were not here. They died a few years before. They were everything to me, everything in my life.”
“And also because of my mum. She didn’t manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money you have to pay for the visa, we didn’t manage it in time. I would like her to be here.”
At 40 years and 12 days, Vozinha became the oldest player ever to appear in a nation’s debut World Cup match, a remarkable achievement for a goalkeeper who came late to the professional game.
“I started playing professional football when I was 25 years old, in 2012. It was too late for a person like me,” he reflected after the game.
“I thought about leaving the national team, but then I continued because of this dream,” added Vozinha, who has now earned 91 caps for his country.
The veteran shot-stopper currently plays club football for Chaves in Portugal’s second tier, following a career that has taken him through Slovakia, Angola, Moldova and Cyprus.
Cape Verde face Uruguay on 21 June and then Saudi Arabia on 27 June as they continue their campaign in Group H.
