Ian Wright slams 'World Cup of chaos' after Somali referee denied US entry

Ian Wright has condemned what he calls a “World Cup of chaos” after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States, with FIFA confirming on Monday that Artan will play no part in the 2026 tournament.

Artan was turned away at Miami International Airport on Saturday by US Customs and Border Protection due to what authorities described as “vetting concerns.” FIFA stated it is not involved in host country immigration processes and has been informed that Artan’s status will not be changed.

In an Instagram video posted two days before the tournament opens in Mexico City on Thursday, Wright expressed mounting frustration at a string of entry denials that have overshadowed the build-up to the largest World Cup in history.

“I’ve just read that the Somalian referee has been denied entry,” Wright said. “Every few hours it’s another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs. You know something: I’m laughing but it’s not funny, it’s actually not funny and something has to be said.”

Wright also pointed to the tournament’s soaring costs — record-high ticket prices, expensive accommodation, and elevated transport costs — as compounding the sense of disarray. “Is this how the hosts behave really for the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world?” he asked, drawing a pointed comparison to the scrutiny Qatar faced as host of the 2022 edition.

The referee’s denial is not an isolated incident. Iran, one of the 48 competing nations, has faced significant visa difficulties, with several staff members refused entry and the playing squad granted only single-entry visas valid on match days. The situation carries an added dimension: it is the first World Cup at which a competing nation — Iran — is in a state of conflict with one of the host countries, the United States.

Wright reserved particular sympathy for American football supporters. “I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this — how embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be,” he said.

FIFA’s statement reiterated that host governments retain ultimate authority over visa decisions, a position that offers little immediate remedy for those already turned away. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is the first to feature 48 teams and kicks off on Thursday.