The mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has been granted a visa to enter the United States, clearing the way for her to attend her son’s next World Cup match. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the breakthrough came after he pressed the State Department to act.
Vozinha emerged as one of the tournament’s early stories after helping Cape Verde hold Spain to a 0-0 draw. The 40-year-old goalkeeper made seven saves in a result that shocked expectations and fueled the team’s strong debut at the World Cup.
How the visa issue was resolved
Jeffries said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and asked the department to do everything in its power to make sure Vozinha’s mother could attend Cabo Verde’s next match. He said all fees have been waived and that travel arrangements are being made for Sunday’s game against Uruguay in Miami.
“I thank Secretary Rubio, U.S. State Department officials, the government of Cabo Verde and FIFA for working together to make this possible,” Jeffries said.
Why her attendance became a concern
After the match against Spain, Vozinha said his mother had not been able to secure a visa in time to travel to the U.S. He later said the problem was tied to the money needed for the process, while the State Department said it had no record that she had applied for one.
According to a person familiar with the situation, the department believes she did not apply because she did not hold a valid Cape Verde passport, but is now in the process of getting one. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the visa discussions were confidential.
Broader visa pressure on Cape Verde fans
Cape Verde is among 50 countries whose citizens face bonds of up to $15,000 to secure a U.S. visa, part of President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on travelers from countries with high rates of visa overstays. The Trump administration last month suspended the requirement for ticket-holders from Cape Verde and four other World Cup nations, but critics said the move came too late for many fans.
The State Department said it had already notified players from affected World Cup countries that they and their families would be exempt from posting the bond. It also said it was working with Cape Verde authorities to resolve the issue surrounding Vozinha’s mother.
