By Enitan Abdultawab
Former England striker Ian Wright has criticised the organisation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the tournament as a “World Cup of chaos” after a Somali referee was denied entry into the United States.
The former Arsenal forward voiced his frustration following reports that Somali official Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been selected to officiate at the World Cup, was refused entry despite reportedly possessing valid travel documents.
Artan was set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup and had been named among the 52 match officials selected for the tournament. However, FIFA later confirmed that he would no longer be part of the officiating roster after being denied entry into the United States.
Reacting in a video posted on his official social media, Wright suggested the incident was part of a wider pattern of issues surrounding the tournament.
“I’ve just read that the Somalian referee has been denied entry. Every few hours it’s another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs,” Wright said.
“You know something I’m laughing but it’s not funny, it’s actually not funny and something has to be said.”
The 62-year-old also criticised the cost of attending the tournament, pointing to expensive tickets, accommodation and transportation.
“The expensive tickets, the most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. It has to be said,” he stated.
“Is this how the hosts behave really for the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world, is this how the hosts behave?
“Are we not hearing more? Are we seeing how Qatar got dragged, are we not hearing more? Is this the spirit of football, really?”
Wright said he particularly sympathised with American football fans who had eagerly anticipated hosting the tournament.
“You know who I feel for? I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this, American soccer fans who are desperate for this, how embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be.”
Describing the build-up to the competition as chaotic, he said, “This is the World Cup, this is a World Cup of chaos. Whoever wins this World Cup is going to have to go through some serious chaos to get this done.
“I hope we can do it, but something has to be said now. This is the World Cup.”
In a statement, FIFA confirmed Artan would not be able to officiate at the tournament.
“FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the
FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” a spokesperson said.
The governing body added that visa decisions remain the responsibility of host governments.
“FIFA 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.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
According to reports, Artan was turned away at Miami International Airport last weekend. Somalia is among several countries whose citizens are subject to a United States travel ban introduced last year.
