World Cup: Ian Wright criticises US after Somali referee is denied entry
By Joel Masibo, June 9, 2026Arsenal legend and football pundit Ian Wright has strongly criticised the United States following reports that Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the country ahead of the FIFA World Cup, describing the situation as a growing embarrassment for the tournament hosts.
Taking to his Instagram page on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Wright expressed frustration over what he sees as a series of troubling incidents affecting individuals connected to the World Cup, including fans, players, journalists, officials and now referees.
The former England international said he was shocked to learn that Artan had been refused entry, adding that similar stories have continued to emerge in the build-up to the global showpiece.
“I just read that the Somalian referee has been denied entry to the US. Every few hours, there another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied – now refs denied,” Wright said.
The former striker questioned whether the treatment of visitors aligns with the values and spirit of football, particularly for a tournament regarded as the biggest sporting event in the world.
Laughable matter
“You know, I’m laughing but it’s not funny. Something has to be said. The most expensive ticket prices ever, the expensive accommodation, transport prices through the roof. Something now has to be said. Is this how the hosts should be behaving? For the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world? Is this in the spirit of football? Really?” he added.
Wright also highlighted what he believes is a disparity in how host nations are scrutinised, drawing comparisons with the criticism directed at Qatar before and during the previous World Cup.
“We all saw how Qatar got dragged [through the mud] but we’re not hearing this [about the US],” he said.
The football icon reserved special sympathy for American football supporters, suggesting that many local fans who had eagerly anticipated the tournament could be feeling disappointed by the controversies surrounding the event.
“You know who I feel for the most? The American soccer fans who are desperate for this tournament, and how embarrassed they must be,” Wright remarked.
He went on to label the upcoming competition the “World Cup of chaos,” arguing that logistical challenges and entry-related issues are overshadowing preparations for the tournament.
“This isn’t just the World Cup, it’s the World Cup of chaos. Whoever wins this World Cup is going to have to go through some serious, serious chaos to get it done. I hope England do it, but something has to be said!” he concluded.
FIFA’s stand
On the stalemate, FIFA emphasised that immigration decisions are handled solely by host nations and that the governing body has no authority over visa approvals or entry requirements.
According to a FIFA, the organisation “is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.” The world football governing body said earlier.
Despite the setback, Artan remained optimistic and thanked football authorities for their backing throughout the process.
“I would like to thank FIFA and CAF (Confederation of African Football) for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future,” he said, as per Reuters
Wright’s comments come amid increasing debate over travel restrictions, visa complications and the rising costs associated with attending the World Cup, with critics urging organisers and host authorities to address concerns before the tournament gets fully underway.