Ian Wright is an absolute hero for saying how we all feel about this World Cupβ¦
βI'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 expensive tickets, the most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. It has to be said.
"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?
"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.
"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."
What has happened at the #2026WorldCup over the last 48 hours:
β’ Swiss footballer Embolo's visa was put under review and he was only able to join his team days later.
β’ Iraqi national team player Aymen Hussein was held for questioning for nearly 7 hours upon entering the United States.
β’ The Iranian national team spent days dealing with visa procedures at the U.S. Consulate in TΓΌrkiye. The U.S. only allowed them entry on match days. Fifteen members of the delegation were denied visas.
β’ Omar Abdulkadir Artan, named CAF's Best African Referee of 2025, was denied a visa. Despite travelling to the U.S. with a diplomatic passport, he was refused entry and sent back. FIFA announced that he will not be able to officiate at the tournament.
β’ The South African national team arrived in the United States much later than planned because part of the delegation was not granted visas.
β’ Members of the Senegal national team staff were forced to remove their shoes and subjected to lengthy searches, sparking accusations of racism.
β’ The Uzbekistan national team was searched with bomb-sniffing dogs and the footage went viral in international media.
β’ Some Scottish supporters, despite being eligible to enter the U.S. visa-free under the ESTA programme, had their travel authorisations revoked just days before departure.
β’ Many supporters who had already bought tickets and booked accommodation had their visa applications rejected, resulting in financial losses.