After tears against Spain: Mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is now allowed to travel to the World Cup in the USA

The background was an appeal for help from the goalkeeper immediately after his team's sensational 0-0 draw against title favorites Spain on the previous matchday. With tears in his eyes, Vozinha had told reporters in the mixed zone that his mother had not been able to travel because of a visa bond demanded by the US authorities. "She couldn't make it here because of the visa, because of the money we have to pay for the visa," he said. The images of the weeping goalkeeper, standing in a circle with his teammates, went around the world.

Reactions: From Washington to Praia

The US government had introduced a bond of up to 15,000 US dollars for citizens from around 50 countries, citing allegedly high rates of visa overstays. However, under a State Department regulation, the bond is generally not required for close relatives of World Cup participants, provided the other requirements are met. A ministry spokesperson told reporters that they were in close contact with Vozinha's family in the Cape Verdean capital Praia and had "provided the necessary services."

"All relatives of players are eligible to be exempted from the visa bond, and the ministry is actively reaching out to this player's family to assist with visa services," the representative said. In addition, the bond would be waived for "all relatives of players." Previously, Hakeem Jeffries, minority leader of the Democrats in the US House of Representatives, had announced on the platform X that the visa fees had been waived. "No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history," Jeffries wrote.

The mother's voice: "After the match I will embrace him"

Ana Candida Evora herself was overjoyed before her departure. "I am very happy," she said. "I am going there to support him, to give him strength and courage. After the match I will embrace him." Speaking to the BBC, she added: "God willing, I will see my son play at the World Cup." Upon her arrival, she reportedly said only briefly: "It's all happening so fast, but I am very happy anyway."

Vozinha himself reacted to the news with relief and anticipation. "I am very happy. My father and my brother will also be there," he said at the outsider's World Cup camp. He had previously confessed to media representatives in the USA: "My mother coming now is something very special." The association leadership also expressly welcomed the development. They had "worked very closely with his physiotherapists," according to a statement, which also announced that the trip would take place "in accordance with all guidelines, procedures and standards."

From outsider to social media star

The goalkeeper's performance against Spain had turned the previously largely unknown custodian into a figure of the tournament overnight. Vozinha, who plays for Chaves in the Portuguese second division, saved seven shots from the favored Iberians and kept the team from the island nation of around 530,000 inhabitants at bay for 90 minutes. "We didn't make it in time, and I would have liked her to be here," he had said in tears after the final whistle. Many had predicted a heavy defeat for the Cape Verdeans – instead, they achieved the most important result in the country's football history.

The success also made Vozinha famous on social media overnight. According to those around him, his number of Instagram followers grew from around 50,000 to about 11.6 million (as of Wednesday). The former underdog keeper had become a social media star, whose emotional gesture after the final whistle attracted international attention.

Outlook: Tough match against Uruguay in Miami

Sportingly, Cape Verde now faces a difficult but manageable task. In the night to Monday (00:00 CEST), Amir Ghalenoei's team will face Uruguay in Miami. With one point from the first match, the team is under pressure if it wants to maintain its chances of reaching the knockout round. Should Vozinha be able to match his outstanding performance against Spain again, the support of his family in the stadium could be an additional motivational boost.

The visa episode also sheds light on the travel conditions for relatives of players from countries that require a visa. The Iranian team, for example, was only allowed to enter the USA on matchday before the tournament and had to leave the country immediately afterwards. The Iranian Football Association sharply criticized this procedure and announced that it would file a formal complaint with FIFA. "Dark chapter in the history of the football World Cups," said association general secretary Hedayat Mombeyni.

Context: Travel conditions of other teams – Iran announces FIFA complaint

Other national associations, by contrast, have not reported comparable problems. The families of superstars like Lionel Messi were apparently able to enter the country normally. Messi himself had led Argentina to a 3-0 opening victory against Algeria with tears in his eyes – and a hat-trick. "Every time Messi steps onto the pitch, it becomes historic and elegant," said former Brazilian striker Ronaldo. The reason for the tears this time, however, was a health issue with his father Jorge, from whom the 38-year-old is currently recovering.

For Cape Verde and Vozinha, however, the story surrounding the visa has come to a good end. The images expected from the stadium in Miami on Monday could go around the world again: a mother cheering on her son in the stands – and a goalkeeper who knows that his family has his back in one of the most important matches in the country's history.

Association representatives emphasized on Sunday evening that the support from the US authorities had been exemplary. They had "gone full steam ahead for the trip to the match," it was said from the Cape Verdean camp. The team is now preparing with focus for the match against Uruguay, in which another point could keep the dream of the round of 16 alive.

Cape Verde had been written off by many observers as a points provider before the tournament. The fact that the team instead kept a clean sheet against Spain and can now count on broad public sympathy has further increased the significance of the appearance in the USA. For Vozinha, his father, his brother, and his mother, the match in Miami thus becomes a family reunion on the international stage.