Cape Verde hero and Iran suffer US travel woes

From obscure, veteran goalkeeper to global fame and an extra 6 million social media followers in 90 minutes, Vozinha’s story is the sort that has made the World Cup so special across the globe.

The Cape Verde stopper excelled as his side drew 0-0 with European champions Spain on Monday. But the tears he shed after the game were not only joyful.

“I cried because I grew up with my grandparents and unfortunately they were not here; they died a few years ago,” he told reporters.

“They were everything for me, for my life. I also cried because my mum didn’t manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money we had to pay for the visa, we didn’t manage to [complete it] on time. I would like her to be here, but I’m also very happy.”

Visa issues have been a running theme of the World Cup, mostly in the United States. Cape Verde was added earlier this year to the list of countries whose citizens have to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000 (€12,931) before travelling to the country.

Travel restrictions continue to bite at World Cup

As well as the bonds, citizens of Haiti, Ivory Coast, Iran and Senegal are banned from traveling entirely while there have been widespread reports of fan visas being rejected from a range of countries. On the eve of the tournament, Somali referee, Omar Artan, was denied entry due to “vetting concerns” that made him “inadmissible,” according to the US Customs and Border Protection agency.

No further detail on these concerns has been forthcoming but US President Donald Trump described Somalis as “garbage” in December, telling immigrants from the African country to “go back to where they came from” and that “their country is no good for a reason.”

This is all despite the promise of FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, who awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize last year, that “fans from all over the world will be welcome” at the tournament. In the same August 2025 statement, Infantino added that the visa process would be “smooth, it will ensure that those that qualify will be able to come with their fans.”

Iran a team apart at World Cup

That has not been the case for many fans. But it has also caused problems for teams and their support staff, most notably Iran. While the framework of a deal in the US-Israel war with Iran has been agreed, the conflict has meant the Iranian team is operating under different circumstances to the other 47 teams in the tournament.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said his side were being “oppressed” after late changes to their travel plans following their 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday. Ghalenoei’s side moved base camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, shortly before the tournament and must leave the United States after each match to return. Ghalenoei said he thought the team would stay overnight after the match in Los Angeles but they were forced to leave.

“We’re supposed to stay ​here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime, but they haven’t permitted us,” ​Ghalenoei said. “To be honest, I have no idea why. I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.”

It was not immediately clear who Ghalenoei feels imposed the departure. But forward Mehdi Taremi said the restrictions on the Iran team put them at a competitive disadvantage.

Infantino visits Iran team despite discontent

“It’s not good for us. I think it’s not good for football,” he said. “I think FIFA ⁠have ​to help us more than this,” said Taremi, who feels the team’s preparations have been rushed. He added that Infantino had visited the Iran dressing room prematch.

“He wants to try to help us, but it’s about other things too,” Taremi said.

The FIFA president later posted about the match on social media, using the FIFA tagline “FIFA Unites the World” as part of his text.

Iran are also competing without several officials and media operatives. They are unable to travel due to ⁠visa restrictions, leaving coaches to take ​on additional responsibilities on the bench.

“The federation is absent here. Our media isn’t here. Our management team, many of them aren’t here. We used to have a part of a coaching team to help with substitutions but we didn’t have that. Those in the technical area had to deal with that,” Ghalenoei said.

Edited by: Chuck Penfold