Gary Neville and Ian Wright Unleash Fury in ITV World Cup Rant

Gary Neville and Ian Wright unleashed a furious rant on ITV during the first day of the 2026 World Cup, sparing no one in their criticism of the tournament's organization and spirit.

Wright's Passionate Outburst

Ian Wright, visibly emotional, stated: "I have spoken about the spirit of football and all the things that come with the spirit of the game. I think here, they have got no idea and clue of the spirit of the game and what is happening and what's happened. Then you look also at people who keep saying things like 'keep politics out of sport'. What are they saying now?"

Neville's Criticism of Referee Ban

Gary Neville focused on the controversial decision to ban a FIFA referee from entering the host country. He said: "That to me is ridiculous the fact that the referee is not able to come into this country. He's a FIFA referee and someone who has been lauded as someone who is the very best. You have that statue over your shoulder, the Statue of Liberty. I don't think he will be feeling like that now. When you host a World Cup you are giving over your land to the world of football for four, to five, to six weeks. We need tolerance and people who can accept everybody comes from a different part of the world and that's not happened here."

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