Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha became a national hero after producing one of the standout performances of the opening week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the person who wanted to witness the historic moment most could only watch from thousands of miles away.
Ana Candida Evora, the mother of the veteran goalkeeper, had dreamed of traveling to the United States to watch her son represent Cape Verde on football’s biggest stage. Instead, she followed the match from home after the cost of the trip proved beyond her family’s reach.
One day before Cape Verde faced Spain in its Group H opener in Atlanta, Ana confidently predicted during an appearance on Cape Verdean national television that her son would not concede a goal against the European champions.
Her prediction proved remarkably accurate.
Vozinha, whose full name is Josimar Dias, delivered a series of outstanding saves to preserve a scoreless draw as Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 result in the island nation’s historic World Cup debut.
“I said no ball would go into his goal, and that’s exactly what happened,” Ana told Reuters on Tuesday.
“He is a great goalkeeper. I am very proud to be Vozinha’s mother, and I hope he continues saving every ball that comes his way.”
The 40-year-old goalkeeper was visibly emotional after the final whistle, breaking down in tears following one of the greatest performances of his international career. Later, he revealed that one reason for his emotional reaction was knowing his mother had been unable to attend such an unforgettable occasion.
Earlier this year, Cape Verde was among the countries whose citizens were initially required to provide a visa bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States under immigration measures introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration. Although U.S. authorities later exempted World Cup ticket holders from that requirement, the overall cost of travel remained prohibitive for many supporters.
“I really wanted to travel and watch the match, but it simply wasn’t possible,” Ana said.
Cape Verde Football Federation President Mario Semedo acknowledged that traveling to the World Cup remains financially challenging for many citizens of the Atlantic island nation.
“It is not easy for people from Cape Verde to travel to the World Cup,” Semedo said. “Airfare, accommodation and match tickets require a very significant financial commitment.”
Semedo argued that concerns over immigration should not prevent players’ families and genuine supporters from attending the tournament.
“If a player’s family wants to attend this competition, every effort should be made to facilitate that,” he said.
Ana’s story has even drawn attention in the United States.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged U.S. officials to help ensure Vozinha’s mother could attend Cape Verde’s next World Cup match.
“No mother should miss the opportunity to watch her child make history,” Jeffries wrote on social media, adding that he had asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to explore ways to assist Ana in traveling to Cape Verde’s next Group H match against Uruguay on Sunday.
A U.S. State Department official said there was no record that Ana had submitted a visa application but emphasized that immediate family members of World Cup participants qualify for exemptions from the visa bond policy. The official added that authorities were attempting to contact Vozinha’s family to help facilitate the visa process.
Although she remained across the Atlantic Ocean, Ana celebrated alongside millions of Cape Verdeans who watched their national team earn one of the biggest results in its football history.
Vozinha’s brother, Davidson Evora, described the performance as a defining moment for both the goalkeeper and the country.
“It was extraordinary, spectacular,” Davidson said. “He made the whole nation happy. It is an incredible achievement for our country.”
The statistics underscored the scale of Vozinha’s accomplishment. Spain dominated possession with 75% of the ball and fired 27 shots, yet none found the back of the net thanks to the veteran goalkeeper’s composure and reflexes.
Across Cape Verde, celebrations continued late into the night.
Thousands of supporters filled the streets of Sao Vicente, near the goalkeeper’s hometown, waving national flags, dancing and sounding car horns as they marked the historic draw against one of world football’s traditional powers.
“I cried until I couldn’t cry anymore,” supporter Magali Monteiro said. “I am proud of you, proud of our people. Keep going because this World Cup belongs to all of us.”
For now, Vozinha’s family has not finalized plans to travel to the United States or sought assistance from the football federation. Davidson said they remain hopeful that an opportunity will emerge before Cape Verde’s next match.
“That would be something truly extraordinary,” he said. “We are living through a historic moment that our country has never experienced before.”
