Cape Verde's Vozinha Reflects on Emotional World Cup Debut Amid Visa Challenges

Cape Verde's Vozinha delivered a stunning performance in his team's World Cup debut against Spain, earning the Player of the Match award. However, his emotional victory was overshadowed by visa issues that prevented his mother from attending the match. Vozinha reflected on his journey to professional football and the pride of representing his country on such a grand stage. This story highlights the challenges faced by athletes and their families amidst the excitement of the World Cup.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 16, 2026, 03:22 IST

Vozinha's Heartfelt Experience at the World Cup

In a poignant moment highlighting the impact of stringent U.S. visa policies on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Vozinha, a player from Cape Verde, shared that his mother was unable to witness his remarkable performance against Spain on June 14 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta. After the match, he expressed his sorrow to reporters, revealing that he was awarded the Player of the Match (POTM) title during Cape Verde's historic World Cup debut, where he made seven crucial saves, ensuring a clean sheet against the reigning European champions. This unexpected outcome is now regarded as one of the most significant upsets in World Cup history. Vozinha, visibly emotional, explained that his tears were partly due to the absence of his grandparents, who had passed away, and his mother, who faced visa complications. He stated, “I want to thank everyone in Cape Verde. We are thrilled with this achievement; this group has worked hard for this moment. It’s a day of pride and joy. I cried after the match because I grew up with my grandparents, and they couldn’t be here. My mom also couldn’t attend due to visa issues and the costs involved. We couldn’t manage to resolve it in time.” This incident adds to a series of visa-related challenges affecting the tournament, including the notable case of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was unable to enter the U.S. despite being selected as one of FIFA's 52 referees for the event.

Vozinha Reflects on Cape Verde's Historic Journey

Vozinha's emotions were palpable as he celebrated both his individual success and his country's remarkable achievement. The 40-year-old shared that he only turned professional at the age of 25 and discussed the difficulties Cape Verde faced in qualifying for the World Cup. “I am incredibly proud to be named man of the match. It’s an honor to represent my beloved country. We come from a small nation, and our journey to qualification was challenging. Today, we fulfilled our dream by competing against a team like Spain. I am immensely proud of everyone involved in this process. We strive in life to experience moments like this. Although I am now 40, I wasn’t a professional until I was 25. This recognition is a reward for my journey. I would tell my 18-year-old self to take pride in his efforts. He worked hard. Honestly, I never imagined achieving something like this as a child, but after this match, I can assure my younger self that it was all worthwhile,” Vozinha concluded.