Spain and Argentina are preparing for the World Cup final, but another opponent is attracting attention before kick-off. Smoke drifting from Canadian wildfires continues to hang over northern New Jersey, leaving uncertainty over the air quality at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino admitted the conditions are impossible to ignore after training in the area.
“You can smell it and see it,” Merino said. “For a game that is as important as a World Cup final, you have to be able to shut out external factors as much as possible. Luckily, we are being careful with every detail thanks to the federation and the organisers of the World Cup.”
Spain trained outdoors in East Hanover on Thursday despite hazardous air quality, a decision that surprised health experts who believed an indoor session would have been the safer option. Conditions improved on Friday, but forecasts remain difficult to predict.
Heavy rain expected on Saturday could temporarily clear the air. However, experts warn another wave of smoke may arrive soon after.
Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, said it is still too early to know how conditions will develop before kick-off.
“If the fire intensity really picks up again through Saturday, it’s possible it puts more smoke into the atmosphere that could quickly follow that rain event,” he explained.
Jonathan Belles, senior meteorologist at The Weather Channel, said forecasts range from little or no smoke at ground level to concentrations that could become a concern for players and supporters.
Medical experts have also warned that even moderate air pollution can affect elite athletes. Professor Chantal Darquenne of the University of California, San Diego, said smoke exposure remains a factor during high intensity exercise, even when air quality improves.
Around 80,000 supporters are expected inside the open-air stadium for football’s biggest match. Organisers continue to monitor conditions as officials assess the latest forecasts before the final.
The smoke has already affected sporting events across the region. During a rehearsal for Sunday’s half-time show, members of the New York Philharmonic wore face masks, while New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said his club was monitoring players closely and would follow medical guidance if air quality deteriorates.
For now, the biggest question before the World Cup final is not team selection or tactics. It is whether the skies above New Jersey will finally clear in time.
