Ian Wright slams USA and World Cup of ‘chaos' after Somalian referee banned from entering country
Omar Artan was set to become the first from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup before he was denied entry to the US.
The referee had been selected as one of 52 for the tournament this summer but FIFA has now confirmed he will now be removed from its roster.
And with it long suspected that travel might end up being a problem for a lot of players, staff and fans heading out for the football, this has led to further backlash.
Ian Wright has joined in with this, slamming the organisation as he says it’s the ‘World Cup of Chaos’.
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Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban has already caused issues, with one Swiss player initially denied entry to the US and the Iran team facing sanctions.
Artan had reportedly travelled through Kenya and Turkey before reaching Miami International Airport.
However, despite possessing valid travel documents, he was reportedly turned away.
Somalia is one of a number of countries whose citizens have been the subject of this complete ban on travel into the US that was implemented last June.
A FIFA spokesperson said yesterday (8 June): “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.
“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.”
Ian Wright’s response
Wrighty has said while he might be ‘laughing’ reading ‘another story’ about people being denied entry, ‘it’s not funny’.
“It’s actually not funny,” the Arsenal legend said in a video on social media.
“Something has to be said. It's expensive tickets, the most expensive tickets ever. Expensive accommodation, transport through the roof.
It has to be said. You know, is this how the hosts behave really, for the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world? Is this how the hosts behave?”
Wright questioned after how ‘Qatar got dragged’ when it hosted: “How are we not hearing more?”
The pundit doesn’t believe it’s in the ‘spirit of football’ as he said he feels for the American fans.
“American soccer fans who are desperate for this,” he continued. “How embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be. This is, you know what, this is the World Cup of chaos.”
While Wrighty hopes ‘we can do it’, he reckons whoever wins the tournament is going to ‘have to go through some serious chaos’ in order to do it.
He wrote in the caption: "World Cup of Chaos. Every few hours it's something or someone else. It's meant to be unifying. Whoever wins it will have to overcome a lot."
Jess Battison