The World Cup final is not under any threat despite the air quality warnings in the area, sources have told ESPN.
World Cup 2026
Health alerts have been issued by officials in New York and New Jersey after wildfires from Canada, which are impacting large parts of the northeastern U.S.
But Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is not concerning FIFA as the weather forecast improves, sources told ESPN.
The Major League Soccer game between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Chicago Fire at Chicago’s Soldier Field was postponed Thursday night due to poor air quality.
Match Details
The National Weather Service in New York posted to social media Friday: “Smoke still lingers today, especially towards the south, but it should be less intense than yesterday in our region. The smoke may thicken again in the overnight into Saturday morning.”
New York Office of Emergency Management posted Friday that the air quality was “unhealthy for everyone.” On Thursday, it was described as “very unhealthy.”
President Donald Trump is set to meet with FIFA President Gianni Infantino later Friday.
Tournament Impact
Members of the administration, including Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, have been discussing the matter with soccer’s governing body and monitoring the wildfire situation, according to a White House official.
The person was granted anonymity to confirm internal discussions.
Weather has caused issues at the World Cup for different reasons. Notably, England vs. Mexico in Mexico City was delayed by an hour due to severe weather while France vs. Iraq was halted for more than two hours.
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