Football icon and Arsenal legend Ian Wright has launched a fierce criticism against the United States government over new visa restrictions that threaten to block thousands of African supporters, including Nigerians, from attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Visa Restrictions Threaten World Cup Accessibility
The United States, which is co-hosting the global tournament with Canada and Mexico, recently expanded its travel ban list, citing national security concerns. The updated policy, set to take effect from January 1, imposes full entry restrictions on citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Furthermore, partial limitations will affect 15 other nations, with Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe prominently listed among them. This move has sparked significant debate within the football community, particularly in Africa where fans are known for their passionate and large-scale travel to major events.
Although Nigeria's Super Eagles failed to qualify after a playoff loss to DR Congo, many supporters had still hoped to travel to experience the tournament. Some fans even hold out hope via a pending petition against DR Congo for allegedly using an ineligible player.
Wright's Fears for the 'World's Game'
Speaking on The Overlap podcast, Ian Wright expressed his deep concern that these barriers betray the inclusive spirit of football. The former England striker argued that the World Cup is drifting from its roots as a game for everyone.
"People from Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast simply can't go; they can't get visas," Wright stated. He emphasised the global nature of the sport, adding, "This is the World's game. If this were Qatar, the reaction would be very different."
His comments highlight a growing frustration that supporters from traditional football heartlands may be systematically excluded from an event marketed as a celebration of global unity.
Sky-High Costs Create a 'Paywall' for Fans
Beyond the visa hurdles, Wright also took aim at the exorbitant cost of attending the 2026 World Cup. Initial reports of ticket prices, with seats for the final rumoured to reach $9,000, caused widespread outrage.
While FIFA later introduced a more affordable "Supporter Entry Tier" priced at $60 for fans of qualified teams, Wright remains sceptical about overall accessibility.
"This is ridiculous. What's going on? Is the World Cup going to be behind a paywall soon? The ticket fees are ridiculous. People can't even go there," he lamented.
For many African fans, the combined burden of expensive international travel, lengthy visa processing, substantial application fees, and high ticket prices risks transforming the World Cup into an exclusive event only for the wealthy.
The situation is compounded by earlier reports confirming that the US administration has placed other football-loving African nations like Ivory Coast and Senegal under partial travel restrictions. With FIFA yet to publicly address the visa policy, critics continue to argue that ensuring fan accessibility should be a fundamental condition for hosting the world's most-watched sporting event.
