Former England footballer Ian Wright has sharply criticized the United States after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry just one day before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins. Artan, selected as one of 52 match officials by FIFA and set to become the first Somali referee in World Cup history, was stopped at Miami airport by US border authorities despite holding a valid visa and documents. After extended questioning, he was declared ineligible and sent back, with US Customs and Border Protection citing “vetting concerns.” FIFA later confirmed that Artan would not officiate in the tournament.

Wright expressed outrage in a social media video, calling the event a “World Cup of chaos.” He criticized the organizers for high costs and poor management, saying the situation embarrassed US football fans. The incident follows other visa and travel complications affecting officials and supporters from several countries, including Iran.

FIFA stated it has no control over national visa or immigration policies, emphasizing that such decisions rest solely with the host governments of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.