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By Suzanne Blake
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A breakout star of the 2026 World Cup could soon be reunited with his mother after a campaign raised enough funds to pay for the U.S. visa the soccer player said she could not afford.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, shone as the underdogs secured a shock 0-0 draw against tournament favorites Spain on Monday, thanks in large part to the 40-year-old keeper's heroics.
But in an emotional post-match interview, Vozinha said his mother had not been able to make the trip to the U.S. because of the cost and timing of securing a visa.
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"I cried because I was raised by my grandparents, and today they are no longer here; they passed away a few years ago. They meant everything to me,” Vozinha said.
“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,” he added.
Clips of the emotional interview spread online after the game, and several fundraisers soon appeared, with most seeking to cover the standard $185 U.S. nonimmigrant visa fee for a Cape Verdean citizen—the equivalent of about 16,000 escudos.
One fund, titled “Help Our Goalkeeper Vozinha Bring His Mother to the USA,” surpassed that target on Tuesday evening.
The U.S. included Cape Verde on a list of dozens of countries whose citizens needed to post bonds of up to $15,000 to enter, under regulations intended to reduce the number of visa overstays.
In May, the U.S. dropped the requirement for World Cup ticket holders, saying it wanted to facilitate “legitimate travel" for the tournament.
Vozinha's mother, Ana Candida Evora, told Reuters on Tuesday she had already ruled out the possibility by that point: "I would have loved to travel and watch the match but it was not possible," she said.
"I said that no ball would enter his goal, and that is exactly what happened," added the 59-year-old house cleaner. "He is a great goalkeeper. I am very proud to be Vozinha's mother, and I hope he continues to save every ball that comes his way."
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The campaign organiser sought US$1,600 "to help bring his mother to USA , help her pay for her VISA so she’s able to travel to USA and come help support her son" as he puts up "a fight for our country’s national team."
The campaign message adds, "let’s all come together as one and show our nation that we can come together as one and make a beautiful thing happen, I hope we can continue to support our country till the end and forever."
Another campaign titled "Bring Vozinha's Mum to the World Cup" reached $40 on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
Vozinha’s story has quickly become one of the defining human-interest elements of this year's World Cup. The tournament is elevating not just underdog teams but deeply personal struggles into global conversations.
His emotional admission has resonated widely, particularly as similar travel and entry issues have affected others.
Viral Rise After Heroics vs. Spain
Cape Verde held the European giants scoreless in one of the biggest early shocks of the tournament, with Vozinha making seven saves and earning Man of the Match honors in his nation's first-ever World Cup contest. Spain is currently ranked second and Cabo Verde 67th in the latest FIFA world rankings.
Since the postgame interview, Vozinha’s Instagram follower count has increased from 40,000 to nearly 6 million as fans rallied behind his performance and personal story.
Vohinza’s Family History
Despite his new global popularity, Vozinha’s reaction after the final whistle struck a chord. Raised by his now-deceased grandparents, he said their absence weighed heavily on him, along with his mother’s inability to attend the match.
"I would tell 18-year-old Vozinha to be really proud of himself. He worked a lot," Vozinha said. "To be honest, I never dreamt of stuff like this when I was a kid, but after this game, I can tell my younger version that it was all worth it."
Vozinha’s situation reflects broader visa and travel challenges that have affected some players and families during the tournament. He has not shared the exact details of the visa delay or whether the issue involved his mom’s visa denial.
What Happens Next
Cape Verde continues its World Cup campaign with two group matches still to play as it tries to advance to the knockout stages. Cape Verde's next game is against Uruguay and scheduled on Sunday, June 21.
Update 6/17/26, 4:33 a.m. ET: This article was updated to reflect that the fundraiser surpassed the standard U.S. visa fee.
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