The mother of Cape Verde’s breakout goalie, Vozinha, will be allowed to enter the United States for her son’s next World Cup game, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Wednesday.
Vozinha’s mom was unable to attend his first match, a landmark draw with Spain in the country’s first-ever World Cup game Monday, due to visa issues.
“I cried after the game because I grew up with my grandparents when I was a kid, and they could not be there,” Vozinha said after the game. “They passed away a few years ago. 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.”
The goalie’s comments caught the eye of Jeffries, who said on X that he spoke to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and “asked the State Department to do everything in their power to ensure that his mother can attend Cabo Verde’s next match.”
Jeffries later updated Cape Verdean fans, saying an arrangement was made to allow Vozinha’s mom into the country with all fees waived.
He thanked FIFA, Rubio, U.S. State Department officials and the government of Cabo Verde for their help in aiding the matter.
Cape Verde is one of the 50 countries where citizens face a $15,000 fee to obtain a U.S. visa due to President Donald Trump’s border crackdown.
Trump suspended the requirement for ticket holders from Cape Verde and four other countries for the World Cup last month, but it was too late for Vozinha’s mom.
Vozinha became an instant star in a 0-0 draw thanks to seven saves and blew up on Instagram, gaining over 13 million followers since the match.
He and Cape Verde will take on another soccer giant in Uruguay on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
