Will Poor Air Quality Impact the World Cup Final?

NEW YORK — Smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the New York City area this week, resulting in dangerous air quality readings.

The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is set for Sunday afternoon in open-air MetLife Stadium in nearby East Rutherford, New Jersey.

On Friday morning, East Rutherford had an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading around 160, which is considered “unhealthy,” according to government tracking website AirNow. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends shortening outdoor activity for all individuals, and that sensitive groups, including children, should “keep outdoor activities short.” That reading was an improvement from Thursday, when the AQI was above 200 in the New York area, crossing into “very unhealthy” levels.

New York City meteorologist John Davitt said Friday morning that the smoke will be gone on Sunday. The National Weather Service predicts Sunday will be sunny with a high around 82 degrees in East Rutherford, while AccuWeather forecasts “improved air quality.”

It’s not clear how FIFA would handle a potential air quality issue on Sunday. FIFA did not respond to multiple requests to clarify its policy around air quality, and what level of reading would delay or postpone a match. A public safety app partnering with the New York New Jersey host committee issued a public service alert on Thursday morning warning fans of the smoke. FIFA monitored air quality at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, according to its website.

On Thursday, Spain practiced outside in New Jersey, while Argentina stayed in Atlanta for its training. Spain beat France on Tuesday in Dallas, while Argentina routed England in Atlanta on Wednesday. Those two losing teams are now heading to Miami for the third-place match on Saturday.

The smoke forced delays and cancellations across sports this week, most notably MLS’s post-World Cup return that would’ve marked ex-Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski’s debut with Chicago Fire FC. Air quality reached an AQI of 638 on Thursday in Chicago.

The NWSL’s Washington Spirit and Gotham FC played through the smoke on Wednesday night for the league’s Queens Classic at City Field, with an AQI around 170. The game had two hydration breaks per half, during one of which Spirit star Trinity Rodman appeared to use an oxygen mask.

The smoke is another example of poor weather possibilities created by putting the final at MetLife. New York also experienced a heat wave earlier this month, while other match days had heavy rain and thunderstorms. Both semifinal matches were played indoors in Atlanta and Dallas.

The final is set to kick off at 3 p.m. Eastern, a favorable time for viewers in Europe, but a warm reality at the match.

FIFA had heat issues with matches at the Club World Cup last summer. Wildfire smoke has been an issue in the Northern part of the U.S. over the past few summers, including when it was particularly thick in New York City in 2023, a year before FIFA chose MetLife for the final.

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