FIFA makes decision on World Cup final venue after crisis talks with White House officials over Canada wildfire smoke
FIFA has no plans to postpone Sunday’s World Cup final even as dangerous smoke from Canadian bushfires cast a haze over New York City, according to reports.
Spain will face Argentina in a blockbuster final at MetLife Stadium and warnings have been issued that the combination of heat and ‘horrendous’ air quality constitutes ‘a very dangerous and powerful one-two punch to the human body’.
On Thursday, air quality in New Jersey, where the stadium is located, was rated ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ by various air quality measurement platforms.
According to BloombergFIFA and Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House’s World Cup Task Force, participated in discussions about the wildfires.
However, no official meeting was planned to postpone the final, which will start at 15.00 local time in the 80,000-seat open-air stadium. Another 50,000 fans are expected to watch the match from Central Park.
Earlier this week some football fans were advised to sell their tickets for the match, while World Cup administrators faced calls for more hydration breaks on Sunday to keep players safe.
FIFA has no plans to postpone World Cup final despite bushfire smoke affecting New York
Smoke from wildfires has blanketed much of the northeastern US in recent days
Spain will face Argentina in the blockbuster final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
‘This won’t just be terrible, terrible air quality. The weather is hot and this can cause an extreme amount of stress on the heart [for players]Pulmonologist and board member of the American Lung Association, Dr. Vin Gupta said:
‘This is a very powerful and dangerous one-two punch to the human body. It will be critical to keep core body temperatures as low as possible.’
Smoke caused the MLS game between the Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps to be postponed, while the MLB game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies was also brought forward an hour due to air quality concerns.
But despite growing concern behind closed doors, an expert meteorologist insisted the smoke was expected to clear significantly before the match kicks off on Sunday.
AccuWeather’s Adam Douty explained: ‘Air quality in the NYC area on Saturday is expected to be poor to unhealthy. But the good news for the match is that we will see air quality improve in the final on Sunday.
‘It still might not be good, but it shouldn’t be as bad as Saturday. “In addition, the weather will be less humid compared to Saturday, which will make the conditions more comfortable.”
A recent forecast calls for a mostly sunny afternoon in East Rutherford; AccuWeather expects temperatures to reach 87 degrees (30.5c).
Smoke from Canadian wildfires hits northeastern US ahead of World Cup final
Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke
National Weather Service staff are working at FIFA Headquarters in Miami throughout the World Cup, according to Bloomberg. They will continue to monitor the situation ahead of the start.
President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke choking U.S. cities.
“We hold Canada responsible for their failure to properly maintain their forests and bushlands,” the president wrote on Truth Social.
Trump added that the United States is “invaded by polluted, polluted and unhealthy air that is dangerous and completely unacceptable.”
He promised to call Prime Minister Mark Carney and demand answers, claiming ‘the cost is incalculable’ and adding: ‘This is willful negligence and has become an annual occurrence, costing the United States billions of dollars; The cost of this pollution must necessarily be added to the tariffs Canada currently pays.’
While the final looks set to survive a weather disaster, the outlook for Saturday’s third-place match between France and England is even more worrying.
The game will be played in brutal conditions at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami; Temperatures here will reach the low 90s but will “feel” around 100 degrees.
Douty added: ‘People traveling to Miami can generally expect hot and humid conditions. We monitor the potential for tropical development from the Gulf of North America to the southwestern Atlantic.
‘The center of moisture and rain from this potential tropical system will likely remain north of Miami, but the storm could still impact the game.
‘Lightning has the potential to delay the game,’ added the AccuWeather expert.
