As football’s reigning world champions, Argentina, meet Spain in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, on Sunday (July 19), one factor will be closely watched besides the likes of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal: the weather.

It is grabbing the attention of every stakeholder, particularly after lingering smoke from raging wildfires in Ontario, in neighbouring Canada, has left a vast area of the northern US shrouded by a blanket of smoke. The matter even threatened to ignite a political row as US President Donald Trump warned that his country would penalise Canada with new tariffs because of the wildfires that have destroyed millions of hectares.

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For the football fanatics, it’s the July 19 clash that matters. A big haze remained over New York and New Jersey, two of the USA’s many host states for the tournament, on the eve of the match.

NY became city with worst air quality on July 17

New York, in fact, was rated as the city with the worst air quality globally at one point on Friday (July 17).

In many of the northeastern American states, visibility and air quality were considerably affected due to the wildfire smoke from the northern neighbour. Warnings were also issued over poor air quality over a wide area of the country’s east coast.

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires is hanging over the region, reducing visibility and affecting air quality in most northeastern US states.

As the game kicks off at 3 pm local time on Sunday, fans are worried about the state of the weather when the two giants – the world champions and European champions – clash.

Experts have sounded optimistic, saying conditions will improve ahead of the final, according to reports.

The air quality index forecast shows an improvement from unhealthy air to “moderate” air quality for sensitive groups from Saturday to Sunday in East Rutherford, which means little to no health risk for the general public on the day of the final.

Thunderstorms would be blessing in disguise, say experts

Additionally, the area saw a thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon, which caused heavy rain and thunder at the game’s venue.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents not to venture out. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also cautioned residents against damaging winds, tornadoes, flash floods and even hailstones.

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However, fans would thank the thunderstorms as meteorologists said it would mostly clear from New Jersey just before the starting whistle goes, reports added.

Jeff Berardelli, chief meteorologist and climate specialist at television channel WFLA-TV, said the storms would “sweep the atmosphere clean”, though a faint smoke smell might still linger for the spectators in the galleries.

FIFA was also keeping a close watch on the conditions ahead of the match. It said it was in regular touch with local officials while monitoring the effects of the wildfire smoke and the storms on the stadium.

Spain final training session suspended

Spain’s preparations were also affected by the elements. Their final training session ahead of the big game at a nearby ground was called off because of the storms and lightning. The country’s football federation said it was done as per the host nation’s storm safety measures.

Argentina also had an outdoor session, and the players complained little about either the air quality or the weather.

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The Albicelestewho have not lost a game in the tournament, will look to defend their 2022 crown and win the fourth trophy. Spain, on the other hand, will hunt for their second title after 2010.

The final will see the presence of dignitaries, including Trump, his Mexican counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, as the three nations co-hosted this year’s edition of the World Cup. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino will also be present among the 80,000-strong crowd.