
Air quality warnings in New York and New Jersey are threatening preparations for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Thick smoke from wildfires in Canada has prompted local authorities to advise against all outdoor activities. Environmental conditions near the match venue in East Rutherford have deteriorated dramatically due to particulate matter, with levels reaching up to seven times the World Health Organization's standards.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued an urgent appeal to the public, urging people to limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous exercise due to increased heat-related toxins.
This situation prompted the Argentine national team to postpone its stay in Georgia and, unlike expected, will arrive in the final city 24 hours late.
Meanwhile, the Spanish national team landed in New Jersey on Wednesday evening after their semifinal victory over France and immediately took to the field for an outdoor training session, without making any official comment.
However, so far there is no risk of postponing the grand final of the World Cup. Organizers expect the match to take place as planned, in front of an audience of more than 80,000 spectators. The certainty comes from weather forecasts for the coming days, which indicate that the impact of toxic air is expected to gradually ease before the start of the activity.
A significant improvement is expected, favored by the rain forecast for Saturday, which will help disperse the smog. As a result, air quality is expected to stabilize at average and acceptable levels by the day of the final.