World Cup 2026: My mum wasn't here because of visa - Cape Verde hero Vozinha after Spain draw

Cape Verde hero Vozinha has bemoaned the absence of his mother at the Atlanta Stadium as he delivered the performance of his life to inspire the tiny West African nation to a historic point against European champions Spain in their World Cup opener. 

Vozinha was the difference as an all-attacking Spanish side laboured in futility in the most shocking results of the early stages of the World Cup.

Cape Verde could have won the match late after a flurry of long range strikes missed narrowly.

Reacting to his performance, Vozinha paid tribute to his late grandparents but disclosed his mother could not make it to the United States because she could not acquire her visa.

"I cried because I grew up with my grandparents," said Vozinha after being awarded player of the match. "Unfortunately they were not here. They died a few years before. They were everything for me, everything for my life.

"And also because of my mum. She didn't manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money you have to pay for the visa, we didn't manage on time. I would like her to be here."

The 40-year-old also praised the unity in Cape Verde's camp, revealing it has been the secret of the team.

 "Our best weapon is our unity. Regardless of the player who arrives today, or the player who is 10 or 15 years old, the way we treat our family is our greatest strength," he continued.

"Everyone thought that we came here just to enjoy the World Cup, but no, we know that we have teams that we will always respect, because this is our first time, but we are here to compete, and we are here to fight for our country."

Cape Verde will next face Uruguay before ending their group games with a match against Saudi Arabia.