local
'Have faith': Vozinha's mom speaks out as Cape Verde heads back to World Cup field
By Tim Reynolds, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 21, 2026
· 1 min read
Sunday is Father's Day. Except, perhaps, for Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.The feel-good story of the World Cup will be back on the field Sunday, when Cape Verde takes on Uruguay in the second group-stage match for both teams. And Vozinha — whose name is Josimar José Évora Dias — will have his mo...
Key takeaway Except, perhaps, for Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.
Why this matters in The Pearland
For Pearland residents who follow international soccer, the story of Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha and his mother Ana Candida Evora is a compelling one. As a city with a strong sense of community and family, Pearland can appreciate the emotional reunion between Evora and her son, and the pride she feels in watching him compete on the world stage. The fact that Evora was able to attend the match against Uruguay, despite initial visa issues, is a testament to the power of perseverance and support. As Cape Verde prepares to face Saudi Arabia in its group stage finale, Pearland soccer fans will be watching with interest, cheering on the underdog team and its dedicated goalkeeper. The Blue Sharks' storybook ride is a reminder that even small communities can make a big impact, a sentiment that resonates with Pearland's own identity as a small city with a strong sense of pride and community.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Sunday is Father's Day. Except, perhaps, for Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.The feel-good story of the World Cup will be back on the field Sunday, when Cape Verde takes on Uruguay in the second group-stage match for both teams. And Vozinha — whose name is Josimar José Évora Dias — will have his mo...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tim Reynolds, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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