The mother of Cape Verde star goalkeeper Vozinha has been granted a visa to enter the United States in time for her 40-year-old son's next World Cup match, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced Wednesday.
Vozinha became an early sensation of the World Cup after making key saves in a 0-0 draw with Spain, one of the tournament favorites that was expected to rout tiny Cape Verde.
After the match, Vozinha said his mother had not been able to secure a visa to enter the U.S. to see him play.
Jeffries said 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 said all fees have been waived and travel arrangements are being made to get her to Cape Verde's next game Sunday against Uruguay in Miami.
“I thank Secretary Rubio, U.S. State Department officials, the government of Cabo Verde and FIFA for working together to make this possible,” Jeffries said.
Vozinha made seven saves against Spain as Cape Verde delivered a stunning World Cup debut. Afterward, Vozinha said his mother had been unable to gather the money in time to secure a visa to enter the U.S.
Cape Verde is among 50 countries whose citizens face bonds of up to $15,000 to secure a U.S. visa, part of President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on travelers from countries that officials said had high rates of visa overstays. The Trump administration last month suspended the requirement for ticket-holders from Cape Verde and four other World Cup nations, but critics said it was too late for many fans.
The State Department had said it had no record of her ever applying for a visa, but that it was working on resolving the situation with Cape Verde authorities. The department said it had notified all players from World Cup countries affected by the $15,000 visa bond requirement that they and their families would be exempt from posting the bond.
A person familiar with the situation said that the State Department believes that Vozinha’s mother did not apply for a visa because she did not hold a valid Cape Verde passport, but that she is now in the process of getting one.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential visa deliberations.
AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed reporting from Washington.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, left, reacts after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha celebrates after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha celebrates as holds the flag of his country after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Mexican military forces intercepted and brought down a drone that flew near the South Korean national soccer team’s training camp ahead of its World Cup match against Mexico, a federal official told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Military forces used specialized equipment to detect an “unregistered drone” near the South Korean camp, prompting them to “neutralize” it, the Mexican federal agent said.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the incident publicly.
Co-host Mexico won its opening Group A match at the World Cup on Thursday while South Korea beat the Czech Republic later that same day. It wasn't clear if the drone was trying to spy on the South Korean team ahead of Thursday's match between the teams.
South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo called the incident “unfortunate.”
“Yesterday (Tuesday), during our training, there was a drone in the sky that we came to know about the fact,” Hong said through a translator. “But fortunately, it was right before we practiced our tactics, so it did not impact us. But while we were preparing for the match, that was the most important timing, so what happened was unfortunate.”
The Mexican operation was part of a security plan involving military and local police forces for the soccer tournament, which kicked off last week in Mexico City and is being co-hosted by the United States and Canada through July 19.
The official did not say when the incident occurred or whether any arrests were made. He said only that several drones had been neutralized in recent days after attempting to enter security zones around stadiums in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey — the tournament’s three host cities in Mexico — as well as team base camps and fan festivals.
In March, Mexican authorities announced a World Cup security operation known as “Plan Kukulkán,” involving about 100,000 personnel from federal and local military and police forces. The plan includes early warning systems, security measures at stadiums, airports, roads and hotels, and protection protocols for teams, officials and fans.
In Canada, authorities have banned unauthorized drones from flying over World Cup stadiums and several training sites in Vancouver and Toronto as a security measure. The restrictions remain in effect until July 7 — the date of the last game scheduled to be staged in the country.
In 2024, the Canadian women’s national team was accused of using a drone to spy on a New Zealand training session in the days leading up to their opening match at the Paris Olympics, triggering a spying scandal that led to sanctions against Canada.
The scandal led to the suspension of two coaching staff members and head coach Bev Priestman, who was subsequently dismissed by Canada Soccer. The Canadian women’s team — the reigning Olympic champions from the Tokyo Games — was deducted six points from its group standings in France.
Canada Soccer later determined that the incident was not an isolated error but part of a pattern of insufficient oversight within the national teams.
Sánchez reported from Mexico City. AP Sports Writer Anne M. Peterson in Vancouver contributed to this report.
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
South Korean players drink water ahead of the World Cup Group A soccer match against Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
