The mom of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha will be able to watch her son play in the World Cup this weekend after intervention from the US State Department and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Jeffries stated in a press release Wednesday that Vozinha’s mom will safe a visa in time for Cape Verde’s match towards Uruguay on Sunday in Miami.
“All fees have been waived consistent with official policy,” Jeffries stated. “Travel arrangements are now being made for mother and son to reunite in Miami.”
A State Department official informed NCS on Tuesday that officers have been making an attempt to assist get Vozinha’s mom to the United States to watch her son play in the World Cup.
Vozinha stated after Cape Verde’s shocking draw with Spain on Monday that his mom was not able to attend the match as a result of she couldn’t afford the bond cost for a visa.
“She didn’t manage to be here because of the visa … the money we have to pay for the visa,” he informed reporters after the match. “We didn’t manage on time, and I would like her to be here.”
Cape Verde is one of 50 nations whose residents are required by the Trump administration to pay a bond of up to $15,000, as a result of of allegations of excessive charges of overstaying their visas.
When requested about Vozinha’s feedback, the official stated there was no report of a visa request for the participant’s mom. The official additionally famous that the bond is waived for “all relatives of players.”
“The 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’s family to assist with visa services,” the official stated.
A supply acquainted with the matter stated their understanding is that Vozinha’s mom doesn’t presently have an energetic passport and is in the course of of acquiring one.
The State Department notes on its website that “the bond requirement will be waived for athletes and team members – including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives – who are nationals of countries that are competing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and demonstrate that they meet all requirements for the visa.”
It’s a whirlwind rise for Vozinha, a 40-year-old who performs in the Portuguese second division. He made seven saves towards Spain, stifling the event favorites in his nation’s first World Cup match.
Many anticipated Vozinha and Cape Verde to be blown away by the European champions, in the vein of Germany beating event debutants Curaçao 7-1 on Sunday. Instead, Vozinha and his defenders annoyed the gifted Spanish assault for 90 minutes and held on for the most essential consequence in their nation’s soccer historical past.
The nation of round 530,000 individuals celebrated and far of the world danced together with them, main to a fast rise in fame for the beforehand unheralded keeper.
With some encouragement from a Brazilian broadcaster, Vozinha’s Instagram has grown from round 50,000 followers to greater than 9.7 million as of Tuesday afternoon.
Cape Verde subsequent takes the area at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday towards Uruguay in Miami.