Smoke from wildfires has covered parts of the northeastern United States, creating uncertainty for Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final. US President Donald Trump stated that the country is being invaded by filthy and unhealthy air and held Canada responsible for the pollution drifting from its wildfires. He also mentioned possible new tariffs on Canada.
Organizers, teams and meteorologists are monitoring air quality for the Argentina versus Spain match at the open-air New York New Jersey Stadium, where around 80,000 spectators are expected. Current forecasts indicate moderate conditions at kickoff, though experts note possible further smoke after Saturday rain.
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino said players could see and smell the haze but stressed the need to ignore outside factors for such an important game. Spain held an outdoor training session on Thursday despite poor air quality, drawing criticism from health experts.
Scientists warn that smoke could reach ground level on Sunday depending on wildfire intensity and weather. Medical specialists note that even moderate pollution can affect athletes during intense exercise.
Despite concerns, FIFA remains confident the final will proceed as planned. Trump met FIFA president Gianni Infantino in New York, where both praised the expanded tournament’s success and wished the finalists good luck.
