Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha reached a touching moment on Friday. He welcomed his mother to the United States just before his team’s important Group H match against Uruguay.
Ana Candida Evora arrived at Miami International Airport on Friday afternoon. She got her U.S. visa and this made the long-awaited reunion with her son possible.
Evora flew in from Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, and landed at 3:53 p.m. local time. FIFA officials and airport workers greeted her. She wore a pink shirt and had a big smile as she briefly spoke to reporters. Then, she continued on her way to meet Vozinha, whose World Cup performances have amazed many during the tournament’s opening week.
After her arrival, Evora shared a simple message of support. She said, “I want to wish him good luck and a good match.”
It is unclear if she will go to Tampa right away, where the “Blue Sharks” have set up for the World Cup, or if she will wait until matchday to see her son before Sunday’s game.
Vozinha’s journey from a respected veteran to a global football star is one of the tournament’s most exciting stories.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper had an outstanding game in Cape Verde’s opening match against Spain. He made seven important saves, helping secure a historic 0-0 draw against one of the tournament favorites. This result gave Cape Verde its first-ever World Cup point and made the island nation one of the competition’s most interesting underdog stories.
Vozinha’s performance won him the Player of the Match award. It also boosted his popularity. Within days, his social media followers grew from tens of thousands to millions, as fans worldwide connected with his story.
The attention grew after the game against Spain. In a moving post-match interview, the veteran goalkeeper cried as he talked about the sacrifices his family made for him.
He spoke about his late grandparents, who raised him. He felt pain knowing his mother could not come to the U.S. to see this big moment in his career. His interview went viral and touched many hearts, leading fans and public figures to help get his mother’s visa and travel to the World Cup.
As Cape Verde gets ready for the big match against Uruguay, Vozinha knows his mother is finally in the stands to cheer for him.
For a player who waited twenty years for a World Cup chance and a nation making its first appearance on the global stage, this reunion is more than just a family moment. It shows that beyond the goals and news, the World Cup is about sacrifice and human connection.
As Cape Verde continues its surprising journey through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Vozinha’s story has become a strong symbol of that spirit.
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