Cape Verde Goalkeeper Vozinha’s Mother’s Visa Challenge at FIFA World Cup

Fundraiser to Help Bring Vozinha’s Mother to World Cup

A fundraiser has been initiated to assist Vozinha, Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, in bringing his mother to the FIFA World Cup. Due to visa expenses, she couldn’t attend the historic match against Spain. Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, gained attention after Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Spain.

Vozinha’s Emotional Interview

After the match, Vozinha expressed his disappointment in a post-match interview. He mentioned his mother couldn’t travel to the United States because of visa and financial issues. “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,” he shared. His words were reported by The Athletic.

Importance of Vozinha’s Story

Vozinha’s narrative has become a significant human-interest aspect of the World Cup, highlighting personal struggles globally. His situation resonates with many who face similar travel challenges.

Fundraising Efforts for Vozinha’s Mother

Following the interview, a GoFundMe campaign named “Bring Vozinha’s mum to the World Cup” emerged. It targets over $11,000, spurred by social media users who empathized with Vozinha’s comments.

“I cried because I was raised by my grandparents, and today they are no longer here; they passed away a few years ago. They meant everything to me,” Vozinha said.

Impactful Performance Against Spain

Cape Verde surprised many by holding Spain scoreless, with Vozinha saving seven goals and earning Man of the Match honors in the team’s World Cup debut. Spain is ranked second while Cape Verde is 67th in FIFA rankings.

Vozinha’s Growing Popularity and Family Background

After the interview, Vozinha’s Instagram followers grew from 40,000 to nearly 6 million. Despite his fame, Vozinha’s remarks after the match touched people. Raised by his deceased grandparents, he felt their absence during significant moments.

“I would tell 18-year-old Vozinha to be really proud of himself. He worked a lot,” Vozinha said. “To be honest, I never dreamt of stuff like this when I was a kid, but after this game, I can tell my younger version that it was all worth it.”

Travel issues have impacted players and families in the tournament. Vozinha hasn’t detailed his mother’s visa situation.

Future Matches for Cape Verde

Cape Verde’s World Cup journey continues with two more group matches, aiming to reach the knockout stages.