Goalkeeper Vozinha is set to make a remarkable piece of 2026 World Cup history for Cape Verde, becoming Africa’s oldest player at the tournament.
At 40 years and 12 days old when Cape Verde face Spain in their opening match, the veteran shot-stopper’s longevity caps a 14-year international career that has helped shape one of Africa’s most inspiring football stories.
Born Josimar José Évora Dias in Mindelo, Vozinha has been a constant presence for the Blue Sharks since his debut in 2012, earning over 80 caps and representing his country at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including the side’s memorable 2013 debut run to the quarter-finals.
His journey mirrors Cape Verde’s own rise from underdog status to World Cup debutants. A small island nation of fewer than 600,000 people, Cape Verde have built a competitive squad largely powered by both local talent and a wide diaspora across Europe, particularly Portugal, France and the Netherlands.
Vozinha, who currently plays his club football in Portugal, has long been seen as one of the squad’s leadership figures. A calming, experienced presence in a team that has spent over a decade pushing towards its first-ever World Cup appearance.
He also played a key role in earlier milestones, including helping Cape Verde reach their first Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, where they shocked many by advancing to the quarter-finals.
Now, more than a decade later, he stands on the brink of another historic moment: leading Cape Verde onto football’s biggest stage.
For a nation making its World Cup debut, his presence between the posts is not just about experience . it is a symbol of persistence, continuity, and belief.
As Cape Verde prepare to face Spain in their opening Group H match on Monday, 15th June at Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Vozinha’s story adds another layer to what is already a landmark chapter in African football history.
