Mia Khalifa has continued her World Cup commentary by speaking out against the Trump administration, accusing them of robbing a World Cup hero of a heartwarming moment. The former adult star, who recently went viral for an AI-generated World Cup photo with Lana Rhoades, was referring to Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.
Vozinha's Heroics and Heartbreak
Vozinha, 40, gained over seven million social media followers after his heroic performance helped Cape Verde keep Spain at bay. The result sparked celebrations in Cape Verde, the third-smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the World Cup, home to about half a million people.
However, the moment was bittersweet for Vozinha, who revealed after the game that his mother, Ana Candida Evora, could not travel to the United States to watch him play due to difficulties obtaining a visa.
Visa Controversy at the World Cup
Visa issues have been a major talking point during this year's World Cup. Some fans had their visas revoked shortly before departure, while others, like Somali referee Omar Artan, were denied entry. Vozinha's situation drew attention, with reports of calls for officials to intervene so his mother could attend the match against Uruguay in Miami on June 21.
Mia Khalifa's Reaction
Reacting to a post on X about Vozinha's mother, Khalifa called the situation a "blatant example of how easily the state department can intervene" and described it as "intimidation tactics by this tiny d*** administration." She wrote: "As beautiful and deserving as this is, it’s also a blatant example of how easily the state department can intervene with these manufactured visa issues most of the global south teams have had to endure as intimidation tactics by this tiny d*** administration."
State Department Response
The US State Department stated it had no record of Vozinha's mother ever applying for a visa but said it was working with Cape Verde authorities to resolve the situation. The department also noted that all players from World Cup countries affected by the $15,000 visa bond requirement, along with their families, would be exempt from posting the bond. "All relatives of players are eligible for visa bond waivers, and the department is actively reaching out to this player's family to assist with visa services," the department said.
A source familiar with the situation indicated that the State Department believes Vozinha's mother did not apply for a visa because she lacked a valid Cape Verde passport, but she is now in the process of obtaining one.
