He cried in public because his mom didn’t make it to the debut… and the whole world did something about it. 🙌
Vozinha is 40 years old, a goalkeeper for Cape Verde, and he has just starred in one of the most surprising debuts of the 2026 World Cup: he saved everything against Spain, the team came away with a historic 0-0, and he was chosen as the man of the match.

But at the press conference, the cameras captured something different: a man crying because his mother had not been able to see him. 😢
Ana Cándida Évora, 59, was unable to travel from Praia, Cape Verde, because of a 15,000-dollar bond that the U.S. requires from citizens of that country to obtain a tourist visa.

His story spread so far that Congressman Hakeem Jeffries — who has Cape Verdean roots — personally contacted Secretary of State Marco Rubio to arrange an emergency visa. The bond was removed. The process was expedited.

And on June 19, Ana Cándida landed at Miami International Airport. 🛬
On Sunday, June 21, when Cape Verde faces Uruguay at Miami Stadium, she will be in the stands watching her son play in the first World Cup in her country’s history. Sometimes football is just the setting. The real story is another one. 🇨🇻❤️

Video:
¡EL SUEÑO SE HACE REALIDAD! La mamá de Vozinha ya está en Miami para verlo jugar el Mundial 2026 🥹🇨🇻 ❤️
— La Afición (@laaficion) June 19, 2026
La madre del portero de Cabo Verde llegó a Estados Unidos para reunirse con su hijo en la Copa del Mundo. ✈️🌍
📹 Reuters pic.twitter.com/zjkqwWuDGX
