Gary Neville and Ian Wright have strongly criticised the United States' handling of preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with the ITV pundits expressing outrage over the ban on Somali referee Omar Artan entering the country. Speaking before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium, the duo condemned the decision and broader issues surrounding the tournament's build-up.
Wright said: '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 saying things like 'keep politics out of sport'. What are they saying now?'
Neville added: '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.'
Artan, described as Africa's best official, was barred from entering the US due to alleged 'association with suspected members of terror organisations', according to a US government official. Somalia is among countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump. However, UEFA announced on Thursday that Artan will referee the Super Cup final between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain in August.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended his relationship with Trump during a pre-tournament press conference, stating: 'I have a great relationship with President Trump. I'm very happy about that. I got to know him during his first mandate and we have been working very closely together now in this second term. Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been, simple as that, impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States.'
