Canadian wildfire smoke blankets northeast US, raising concerns for World Cup final amid storm disruptions

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has blanketed the northeastern United States, leading to hazardous air quality and casting a shadow over the upcoming World Cup final. New York City, at one point, recorded the worst air quality globally.

While a visible haze persisted over New York and New Jersey on Saturday, with a thunderstorm causing disruptions at the stadium, experts anticipate an improvement for Sunday's match. The air quality index forecast suggests a shift from unhealthy air to "moderate" for sensitive groups, indicating minimal health risks for the general public during the Spain vs. Argentina final.

Inclement weather also impacted team preparations. Spain's final training session was suspended due to storms and lightning, adhering to U.S. storm safety protocols. The Spanish football federation stated that players would warm up indoors and that no alternative training slot would be provided. Argentina, however, completed their outdoor training session without apparent concern over air quality or weather conditions.