‘This is ridiculous. What's going on?’ - Arsenal legend voices concern over Nigerian visa restriction for World Cup

The United States, which will co-host the tournament with Canada and Mexico, has expanded their travel ban, citing national security concerns. 

The new policy, set to take effect on January 1, imposes full entry restrictions on citizens from countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Additionally, partial restrictions will apply to 15 other nations, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

These measures present a significant hurdle for African football fans hoping to travel to the US for the global tournament. 

Wright, now a prominent TV pundit, condemned the move, arguing it undermines the inclusive spirit of the World Cup.

Speaking on The Overlap podcast, Wright expressed his frustration: "People from Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, simply can't go; they can't get visas. This is the World's game. If this were Qatar, the reaction would be very different."

The 62-year-old also criticised the initial high cost of tickets, with some final match seats reportedly priced as high as $9,000. 

While FIFA has since intervened to introduce a more affordable "Supporter Entry Tier" at $60 per ticket for fans of qualified teams, Wright believes the financial and logistical barriers are making the sport exclusive.

"This is ridiculous. What's going on? Is the World Cup going to be behind a paywall soon?" he questioned. "The ticket fees are ridiculous. People can't even go there."

"The visa you have to apply for to get in there, the process is ridiculous. It's turning into a sport for the elites. It's killing people," the two-time FA Cup winner concluded.

While Nigeria's immediate focus remains on qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the concerns raised by Wright cast a shadow over the accessibility of what is meant to be a global celebration of football.