The FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain is expected to go ahead as scheduled on Sunday despite growing concerns over poor air quality caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires.
According to a Bloomberg report, FIFA has no plans to shift or postpone the final, even though smoke has affected air quality in parts of New York and New Jersey in recent days.
While informal discussions have taken place regarding the situation, no formal meeting has been held and no decision has been made to change the schedule.
FIFA monitoring weather conditions closely
FIFA has been keeping a close watch on the situation through its command centre in Miami. Officials from the US National Weather Service have been stationed there throughout the tournament to monitor weather conditions and provide regular updates.
Bob Oravec, a senior forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center, said the smoke is expected to become heavier on Saturday but should improve by Sunday. This has given FIFA confidence that the World Cup final can be played as planned.
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New York records ‘very unhealthy’ air quality
Air pollution became a major concern on Thursday when New York recorded one of the worst air quality levels in the world.
The city registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 208, which falls under the “Very Unhealthy” category. The smoke from the Canadian wildfires has reduced visibility and raised concerns about the health of players, officials and supporters attending the final.
Mikel Merino says players must ignore outside distractions
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino admitted that the team could smell the smoke during training but insisted the players remain focused on the biggest match of their careers.
Speaking to AP, Merino said: “For a game that is as important as a World Cup final, you have to be able to shut out external factors as much as possible.”
He added that the Spanish Football Federation and tournament organisers are taking every possible precaution to protect the players.
“Luckily, we are being careful with every detail thanks to the federation and the organizers of the World Cup.”
Spain trained despite hazardous conditions
Spain held a training session in East Hanover, New Jersey, on Thursday despite the poor air quality. Several experts questioned the decision, suggesting the practice should have been moved indoors because of the hazardous conditions. Scientists continue to monitor the movement of smoke ahead of Sunday’s final.
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Experts warn smoke could return
Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, said weather conditions remain uncertain.
According to him, another wave of smoke could follow depending on how the Canadian wildfires develop over the weekend.
He explained that if the fires become more intense on Saturday, additional smoke could quickly move toward New York and New Jersey after the expected rain system passes.
Air pollution could affect player performance
Medical experts believe that even if air quality improves to moderate levels, players may still feel the effects during a high-intensity match.
Chantal Darquenne, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, said pollution can impact athletes depending on the amount of smoke they inhale.
She explained that the effects are dose-dependent, meaning the higher the pollution level, the greater the impact on the body.
Even moderate pollution, she said, can affect players because they perform vigorous physical activity for long periods during a World Cup final.
Donald Trump blames Canada for smoke crisis
US President Donald Trump also reacted to the worsening air quality through a social media post. He blamed Canada for the smoke drifting into the United States and said the country was being affected by polluted air originating across the border.
Trump wrote: “We are holding Canada responsible.” He further added that the United States was being “unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air,” calling the situation dangerous and unacceptable.
World Cup final expected to proceed as scheduled
Despite concerns over air quality, FIFA remains confident that the Argentina vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2026 final will take place as scheduled.
Tournament officials will continue monitoring weather forecasts and air quality over the coming hours, but as things stand, there are no plans to postpone or relocate the biggest match of the tournament.
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First published on: Jul 18, 2026 11:32 AM IST
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About the Author
Aditya Mallick
Aditya Mallick is a Senior Sub-Editor (Sports) with over five years of experience covering cricket, football, and other major sporting events. He has extensively reported on ICC tournaments, international football competitions, and domestic leagues, delivering accurate, engaging, and insightful sports coverage. Aditya holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Maharshi Dayanand University and has built a strong reputation for producing well-researched and reader-focused sports journalism. Every article written by Aditya is thoroughly reviewed and fact-checked by the editorial team before publication, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy, credibility, and reliability. His commitment to responsible journalism has earned him the trust of readers and sports enthusiasts alike. Outside the newsroom, Aditya stays actively connected with the sporting world and follows the latest developments across cricket, football, and other global sports. Connect with him on LinkedIn to explore his latest work and insights into the world of sports.
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