Key Facts

• Ana Candida Evora, mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, could not get a US visa due to a costly bond required for travel.
• The US had a rule that citizens from some countries needed to pay bonds up to $15,000 to enter the US, introduced during President Trump’s time.
• This bond rule was dropped for World Cup ticket holders shortly before the event, but it came too late for Evora.
• House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to help Evora attend her son’s next game.
• A State Department official said players’ relatives can get waivers from the bond requirement and the government is reaching out to help Evora’s family.
• Vozinha played well against Spain but was upset because his mother could not travel to watch him.
• Other people involved in the World Cup, like a Somali referee and Iran’s staff, also faced visa problems.
• Travel costs for fans from small countries like Cape Verde are high, making attending the World Cup difficult even without visa issues.