Vozinha
Cape Verde's goalkeeper, born Josimar Dias Tavares, who kept a clean sheet against Spain in Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup match on 15 June 2026.
Last refreshed: 17 June 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
How did a 40-year-old goalkeeper from Cape Verde shut out the European champions in their World Cup debut?
Timeline for Vozinha
Mentioned in: Cape Verde stay unbeaten on debut
2026 FIFA World CupReceived news that his mother was granted a US visa to attend the World Cup
2026 FIFA World Cup: Vozinha's mother granted a US visaKept a clean sheet in Cape Verde's debut World Cup match to earn a draw with Spain
2026 FIFA World Cup: Spain held by debutants Cape Verde, 0-0Background
Vozinha, Born Josimar José Évora Dias on 3 June 1986 in Mindelo, Cape Verde, made seven saves from seven shots on target as Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw on 15 June 2026, the Blue Sharks' first match at a World Cup finals. He wept at the final whistle: "I've worked all my life for this." He was named player of the match.
Vozinha's career spans clubs across seven countries: Cape Verde, Angola, Moldova, Portugal and Cyprus, among others. He joined Portuguese club Chaves for the 2026 World Cup season, having previously played for AEL Limassol (Cyprus, 2017-2022) and AS Trenčín (Slovakia, 2022-2024). He has accumulated over 80 caps for Cape Verde across 14 years of international service and featured in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. His nickname, roughly translating to "voice", was given by the grandparents who raised him in Mindelo.
At 40, Vozinha is among the oldest players in the 2026 tournament and the oldest goalkeeper. His World Cup debut at that age, against the reigning European champions and with a clean sheet, made him one of the tournament's most widely-shared stories in its opening week. Cape Verde's 48-team format debut position in Group H alongside Spain, Belgium and Saudi Arabia means they will need further results to advance.