The build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final hasn't been focused solely on football. Smoke drifting south from the massive Canadian wildfires has affected large parts of the northeastern United States this week, raising concerns about whether air quality could impact the biggest match in world football.
The final is scheduled to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where air quality reached unhealthy levels earlier in the week. However, the latest forecasts suggest conditions should improve before kickoff.
Latest Weather Update Before Spain vs. Argentina
The latest forecasts suggest the World Cup final should go ahead without any weather-related disruption.
Meteorologists expect rain on Saturday, followed by shifting winds that should carry much of the smoke away before the 3 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday. While a little haze could still linger, air quality is forecast to improve considerably compared to the conditions seen earlier in the week.
The National Weather Service is also predicting temperatures of around 80°F (27°C) with much clearer skies by the time the teams take the field.
Earlier this week, however, the situation looked very different. Reporting live from MetLife Stadium for CBS Sports, Nico Cantor described just how noticeable the smoke had become. "I'm no meteorologist, but I can tell you what I'm seeing right now. I can taste the smokiness in the air. I'm looking at buildings maybe a mile away. They look hazy. Even the stadium itself doesn't have that clarity. To a certain degree, it is difficult to breathe."
The smoky conditions also had a small impact on Spain's preparations. La Roja shortened one outdoor training session on Thursday as a precaution when air quality briefly worsened. It was simply a preventive measure, and the squad has since returned to its normal schedule.
Argentina's experience has been different. Lionel Scaloni's team has spent the week training in Atlanta, where the smoke has been barely noticeable, allowing the reigning world champions to prepare without interruption.
Away from the training ground, FIFA has continued to monitor the situation alongside U.S. officials. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been in contact with members of the White House's World Cup task force, including Andrew Giuliani, as both sides keep a close watch on air quality and any possible health concerns for players, supporters and stadium staff.
Neither FIFA nor local authorities have suggested postponing or relocating the match, and with weather conditions expected to improve, there is growing confidence that Sunday's final will be played exactly where planned.
Moving a World Cup final would be an enormous undertaking, affecting everything from security and broadcasting to travel arrangements for teams and tens of thousands of fans. Unless conditions change dramatically over the next 24 hours, MetLife Stadium will remain the stage for football's biggest match.
