Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha said US visa problems prevented his mother from attending his historic FIFA World Cup debut, casting a shadow over one of the most memorable moments of his career.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who was named player of the match after helping Cape Verde secure a 0-0 draw against Spain on Monday, revealed after the game that family members were unable to travel to the United States for the tournament.
“I cried after the game because I grew up with my grandparents when I was a kid, and they could not be there,” Vozinha told reporters, as quoted by The Athletic.
“My mum could not be here either for a visa issue, and the money we had to pay for it. We did not manage to do this in time.”
His comments have added a personal dimension to concerns surrounding visa and entry issues at the 2026 World Cup.
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VISA CONCERNS
The United States, which is co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, has faced scrutiny over visa processing delays, travel restrictions and entry problems affecting participants and visitors connected to the competition.
Iran has been among the countries most affected. Members of the Iranian football federation were reportedly denied entry to the United States, while the national team moved its training base from Arizona to Tijuana amid concerns surrounding travel arrangements.
Questions have also been raised after reports that journalists from Iran and several African nations encountered visa difficulties. The United States has also introduced bond requirements for some countries with high visa overstay rates and maintains travel restrictions affecting nationals from several countries that qualified for the World Cup.
This week, Somali FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States despite holding a valid visa, according to multiple reports.
FIFA RESPONSE
The difficulties have raised questions about the organisation of the expanded 48-team tournament, the largest World Cup in history.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the governing body’s position when asked about visa-related concerns this week, saying football’s world governing body could not dictate immigration decisions to host nations.
“We don’t control everything,” Infantino said earlier.
“Maybe it’s good to just chill, relax.”
Infantino’s comments came as debate continued over the challenges facing supporters, journalists and officials seeking access to matches across the United States.
BITTERSWEET MOMENT
For Vozinha, the issue was less about politics than personal sacrifice.
The veteran goalkeeper became the second-oldest player to make a World Cup debut and produced seven saves to frustrate Spain in Atlanta, delivering one of the standout performances of the opening week of the tournament.
After years spent playing across Cape Verde and Europe, and after not turning professional until the age of 25, the World Cup represented the pinnacle of a long and unconventional career.
Yet the moment was also marked by the absence of close family members who were unable to make the journey.
While Cape Verde celebrated a famous result against one of football’s traditional powers, Vozinha was left reflecting on a milestone achieved without some of the people who helped him reach it.
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