The newest installment within the media’s try to painting President Trump as ruining the continuing World Cup befell on Wednesday’s Amanpour and Firm on PBS. Throughout one section, host Christiane Amanpour and writer Simon Kuper tried to counsel that Trump is the rationale why Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar “Vozinha” Dias’s mom has not been in a position to purchase a visa, however there are compelling causes to consider that’s not true.
Earlier than that, Amanpour listed another on-field tales she thought have been worthy of mentioning, “What matches have stood out for you? You simply talked about the three who’ve simply actually achieved unbelievably. What about lesser-knowns? Like, I feel Bosnia held their opponents to a draw. Iran held their opponents to a draw. I imply, they are not lesser identified, however they’re much less high-ranked. And Cape Verde, inform me about that goalie. It is an unbelievable story.”
CNN/PBS’s Christiane Amanpour and writer Simon Kuper do some World Cup-immigration conspiracy theorizing. Amanpour notes that the State Division is attempting to get Cape Verde’s goalkeeper a visa, “Was she not allowed earlier than?” Kuper says “I feel Cape Verde is a kind of… pic.twitter.com/2ngABj0kTw
— Alex Christy (@alexchristy17) June 18, 2026
Amanpour in all probability listed Iran in all probability to color the narrative that Group Iran is being harassed and needlessly persecuted by Trump, however Iran was a heavy favourite to beat New Zealand, so a tie must be thought of a failure.
As for the Cape Verde goalie, Kuper started by highlighting the importance of his efficiency, “Yeah, Vozinha, he performs within the second division in Portugal. He is 40-years outdated, and Spain have been attacking the entire sport, as you’d count on from the staff that have been the bookmakers’ favorites to win the World Cup. They usually could not even beat Cape Verde, enjoying its first World Cup with a staff drawn closely from its diaspora, numerous gamers from Rotterdam.”
He then added, “It is the primary actual Cinderella second we have had to date. I feel the entire world beloved it. And the U.S. State Division is now even attempting to deliver the goalkeeper’s mom into the U.S. so she will be able to comply with the match there.”
Amanpour then ruined the feel-good story with some anti-Trump politics, “Nicely, would not that be good? And was she not allowed earlier than?”
Kuper merely retorted, “I feel Cape Verde is a kind of nations that it’s extremely tough to get visas for Donald Trump’s USA. And so, there are entire nations which have probably not been in a position to get any followers.”
In an effort to crackdown on excessive charges of visa overstay, the Trump administration has required guests from sure nations to place up a refundable bond as a part of their utility course of. Vozinha has mentioned his mom couldn’t afford the $15,000 fee, however gamers’ households are exempt from the bond.
Moreover, in line with AP sports activities author Jim Vertuno, “An individual accustomed to the state of affairs mentioned that the State Division believes that Vozinha’s mom didn’t apply for a visa as a result of she didn’t maintain a legitimate Cape Verde passport, however that she is now within the strategy of getting one.”
It’s unlucky that Vozinha’s mom couldn’t be there to see him play in opposition to Spain, however that doesn’t imply there was some grand anti-Cape Verde or anti-Africa conspiracy afoot.
Here’s a transcript for the June 17 present:
PBS Amanpour and Firm
6/17/2026
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: Yeah, and what matches have stood out for you? You simply talked about the three who’ve simply actually achieved unbelievably. What about lesser-knowns? Like I feel Bosnia held their opponents to a draw. Iran held their opponents to a draw. I imply, they are not lesser identified, however they’re much less high-ranked. And Cape Verde, inform me about that goalie. It is an unbelievable story.
SIMON KUPER: Yeah, Vozinha, he performs within the second division in Portugal. He is 40-years outdated, and Spain have been attacking the entire sport, as you’d count on from the staff that have been the bookmakers’ favorites to win the World Cup. They usually could not even beat Cape Verde, enjoying its first World Cup with a staff drawn closely from its diaspora, numerous gamers from Rotterdam.
And it is the primary actual Cinderella second we have had to date. I feel the entire world beloved it. And the U.S. State Division is now even attempting to deliver the goalkeeper’s mom into the U.S. so she will be able to comply with the match there.
AMANPOUR: Nicely, would not that be good? And was she not allowed earlier than?
KUPER: I feel Cape Verde is a kind of nations that it’s extremely tough to get visas for Donald Trump’s USA. And so, there are entire nations which have probably not been in a position to get any followers.
