FIFA is reportedly not considering relocating Sunday’s World Cup final, despite thick smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting across the New York City area and raising fresh air-quality concerns.
Spain and Argentina are scheduled to meet in a marquee showdown at MetLife Stadium, where officials and health experts have warned that soaring heat paired with “terrible” air conditions could create a “very dangerous and powerful one-two punch to the human body.”
By Thursday, air-quality trackers had classified conditions in New Jersey, where the stadium is located, as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” adding to concerns ahead of one of the biggest events on the global soccer calendar.
Bloomberg reported that FIFA officials have been in contact with Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House’s World Cup Task Force, as discussions continue around the impact of the ongoing wildfires.
However, there is currently no formal meeting planned to discuss moving the final from the 80,000-capacity open-air venue, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. local time. Around 50,000 additional supporters are also expected to gather in Central Park to watch the match.
Earlier in the week, some fans were reportedly advised to consider selling their tickets, while World Cup organizers faced growing calls to add extra hydration breaks during Sunday’s final to better protect players in challenging conditions.
FIFA is reportedly not planning to move the World Cup final, despite wildfire smoke affecting the New York area
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has spread across large parts of the northeastern United States in recent days
Spain is due to face Argentina in a blockbuster final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon
‘It not only is going to be terrible, terrible air quality. It’s hot, and that can cause an extreme amount of stress on the heart [for players],’ said Dr Vin Gupta, a pulmonologist and board of directors member at the American Lung Association.
‘That is a very powerful and dangerous one-two punch to the human body. It’s going to be critical to maintain core body temperatures as low as possible.’
The smoke has already forced an MLS match between the Chicago Fire and the Vancouver Whitecaps to be postponed, while an MLB game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies was brought forward by one hour due to air quality concerns.
However, despite the mounting anxiety behind closed doors, an expert meteorologist insisted that the smoke is expected to clear up significantly before the game kicks off on Sunday.
AccuWeather’s Adam Douty revealed: ‘Air quality in the NYC area is expected to be poor to unhealthy on Saturday. However, good news for the match is that we should see improved air quality on Sunday for the final.
‘It may still not be considered good, but it should not be as bad as Saturday. It will also be less humid compared to Saturday, which will make for more comfortable conditions’.
A recent forecast suggests a mostly sunny afternoon in East Rutherford, with AccuWeather expecting the temperature to peak at 87 degrees (30.5c).
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has hit the northeastern US before the World Cup final
Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada over the wildfire smoke
According to Bloomberg, staff from the National Weather Service have been working out of FIFA HQ in Miami throughout this World Cup. They will continue to monitor the situation ahead of kickoff.
On Friday, President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke choking US cities.
‘We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their forests and brush,’ the President wrote on Truth Social.
The US is being ‘invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable,’ Trump added.
He vowed to call Prime Minister Mark Carney to demand answers, claiming that the ‘cost is incalculable,’ adding: ‘This is willful negligence, and becoming a yearly occurrence, costing the United States billions of dollars, which cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the tariffs Canada is currently paying.’
While the final looks set to dodge a weather disaster, the outlook is more ominous for Saturday’s third-place match between France and England.
The game is due to take place in brutal conditions at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where temperatures will reach the low 90s – but will ‘feel’ around 100 degrees.
Douty added: ‘People heading to Miami can expect typically warm and humid conditions. We are monitoring the potential for tropical development from the northern Gulf of America to the southwestern Atlantic.
‘The core of moisture and rain from this potential tropical system is likely to remain to the north of Miami, though a thunderstorm may still impact the match.
‘Lightning has the potential to delay the game,’ the AccuWeather expert added.
