State Department seeks goalkeeper’s family; Cape Verdean still needs to obtain a passport
The United States Department of State is trying to help Brazil’s mother enter the country to accompany her son to the World Cup. The agency contacted the family after the player declared that Ana Évora lost her license because she was unable to pay the bail required in the visa process.
According to journalists and a US government official declared on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) that there is no record of a visa application presented by the athlete’s mother. He also said that family members of players are exempt from paying.
“The U.S. Department of State has no record of this person having applied for a visa. All player family members are entitled to a visa bond waiver, and the department is actively reaching out to this player’s family to assist with visa services.”he declared.
A source familiar with the case said that Vozinha’s mother does not have a valid passport and is providing the document. She lives on the island of São Vicente, in Cape Verde.
After the match against Spain, the goalkeeper stated that he would have liked to have had his mother in the stands.
“She couldn’t be here because of the visa, the money we have to pay for the visa. We couldn’t make it in time, and I wish she were here”he told journalists.
whose citizens are subject to a deposit of US$5,000, US$10,000 or US$15,000 when applying for tourist or business visas. The amount is defined during the consular interview.
The measure was adopted by the (Republican Party) government based on the rates of stay in the United States beyond the authorized period. The State Department, however, waives deposits for athletes, delegation members and immediate family members of players from teams participating in the World Cup.
From São Vicente, the goalkeeper’s mother followed her son’s performance and told journalist Odair Santos, from , that she hoped the team would advance in the tournament.
“I’m very proud of Vozinha. I hope that Cape Verde goes to the next stage and that the country has a good World Cup”said Ana Évora.
The player’s younger brother, Davidson Évora, 25, is also a goalkeeper and plays for a 1st division team on the island of São Vicente. He highlighted the 7 saves made by Vozinha against Spain.
“I’m very proud of my brother and the players, who played a great match, as well as Mister Bubista, who put together a great strategy for the team. I’m very proud to see my homeland gain repercussions in this way. It’s something unimaginable, incredible”he told RFI.
HIGHLIGHT AGAINST SPAIN
Vozinha, 40 years old, plays for Chaves, in Portugal’s 2nd division, but her contract was terminated at the end of last season. The goalkeeper held back the Spanish attack during the 90 minutes of Cape Verde’s World Cup debut. The European team arrived at the tournament as one of the favorites for the title.
The result brought thousands of Cape Verdeans to the streets. The country has around 530 thousand inhabitants. Vozinha also gained prominence on social media after a mobilization that began during the CazéTV broadcast.
The athlete had around 50 thousand followers on Instagram before the match. The profile already had 11.6 million on this Wednesday morning (June 17, 2026).
Cape Verde returns to the field on Sunday (June 21, 2026), against Uruguay, in Miami. The match will be played at 7pm, Brasília time.
