Former England international Ian Wright has criticized what he called a “World Cup of chaos” as 2026 World Cup visa concerns grow ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The comments came after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States, a development that has intensified debate over travel and immigration procedures before one of the largest sporting events in the world. Reuters reported that Artan was denied entry despite holding a valid visa, while FIFA said immigration decisions remain with U.S. authorities.

Omar Artan Case Adds Pressure on FIFA 2026 Preparations

Artan had been expected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was set to become the first Somali referee to do so. His exclusion has raised wider questions about whether players, officials, journalists and fans could face similar uncertainty when traveling for the tournament.

The Guardian reported that Artan was refused access to the United States and will miss the World Cup, adding another high-profile case to concerns around tournament access.

Why Travel Readiness Matters for U.S. World Cup Host Cities

The 2026 World Cup will be staged across North America, with the United States hosting most of the matches. That makes visa processing, airport entry, security coordination and fan movement central to the tournament’s success.

Wright’s criticism reflects a growing concern in the football community: the tournament’s expanded format may increase pressure on immigration systems, travel planning and host-city logistics.

For FIFA, organizers and U.S. authorities, the issue now goes beyond one referee. If similar cases continue, travel access could become one of the biggest storylines before the opening match.