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Football Legend Ian Wright Torches America’s ‘World Cup Of Chaos’

Football icon Ian Wright has questioned whether the United States is behaving like a proper World Cup host, after Somalia’s top referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the country. Posting on TikTok on Tuesday, the former Arsenal player branded the tournament the “World Cup of chaos”, ahead of its official launch later this week. “Every few hours, it’s another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs?” the footballer-turned-pundit lamented in a candid video . “I’m laughing, but it’s not funny. It’s actually not funny. Something has to be said,” he continued. Ian Wright pictured in March 2026 Ian, who will serve as a pundit for ITV when the event gets up and running on Thursday, pointed out that this edition of the football tournament features “the most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof”. He continued: “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?” Following this, Ian questioned the relative lack of criticism directed at the United States, compared with the scrutiny Qatar faced before hosting the 2022 World Cup . “How are we not hearing more?” he asked, adding: “Is this the spirit of football? Really?” Ian said he felt sorry for American soccer fans who have been “desperate” to host the World Cup across the pond, saying they must be “embarrassed” by the way the situation has unfolded in recent times. “This is a World Cup of chaos,” he said. “Whoever wins this World Cup’s gonna have to go through some serious, serious chaos to get this done. I hope we can do it, but something has to be said.” @wrightyofficial World Cup of Chaos ♬ original sound - Ian Wright Over the course of his own football career, Ian was best known for playing for Arsenal, Crystal Palace and England’s national team. Since retiring from the sport in 2000, he has become a prolific football pundit and TV personality, and was awarded an OBE for services to football and charity in 2023. Last month, it was announced that the chart-topping rapper Stormzy was executive producing a new biopic based on Ian’s life. MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS: Hugh Laurie Apologises For 'Slightly Drunk' Social Media Posts About House Katy Perry And Justin Trudeau Look Loved Up As They Make Red Carpet Debut Tip Toe Creator Russell T Davies Talks Us Through The Show's Brutal Ending

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