Vozinha’s mother couldn’t pay the $15,000 bond for the visa, but she made it to the stadium and saw her son’s historic draw

Por Aracely Molina
22 June, 2026

Ana Cándida Évora couldn’t watch her son’s World Cup debut. It wasn’t for lack of desire or love: the U.S. required her to post a bond of up to $15,000 to process the visa, an impossible amount for a family from Cape Verde. Vozinha —Josimar Dias, 40 years old, goalkeeper and captain of his national team— cried publicly after the match against Spain when he confirmed that his mother was not in the stands. 🥺

But the story didn’t end there. The image of those tears went around the world, and with it came pressure. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, who has Cape Verdean roots, appealed directly to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to have that bond removed. And it worked. Ana Cándida landed in Miami, entered Hard Rock Stadium and, from a box, waved the Cape Verde flag while her son defended the goal in the most important match in his country’s history. 🇨🇻

On June 21, 2026, Cape Verde drew 2-2 with Uruguay —one of the most improbable results of the World Cup— and scored its first-ever World Cup goal through Kevin Pina. Vozinha saw it from the inside. His mother, from above. And those of us following the story from the outside felt exactly what football should make you feel. ⚽❤️

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