“We are holding Canada responsible.”With those words, US President Donald Trump thrust politics into the build-up to Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, blaming Canada for the wildfire smoke that has blanketed parts of the northeastern United States and raised fresh uncertainty over the conditions for football’s biggest match.In a post on his social media platform, Trump said the United States “is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable!” He also threatened new tariffs on Canada over the smoke drifting south from massive wildfires burning across the country.The comments came as organisers, teams and meteorologists continued to closely monitor air quality ahead of the Argentina-Spain final at the open-air New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, where nearly 80,000 fans are expected.While forecasts currently predict “moderate” air quality by kickoff, experts warn uncertainty remains over whether another wave of smoke could follow heavy rain expected on Saturday.
Smoke forecast leaves World Cup final under a cloud
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino admitted the smoke was impossible to ignore, saying players could both “see and smell” the haze hanging over northern New Jersey.However, the midfielder insisted Spain were trying to block out the distraction.“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,” Merino said. “Luckily, we are being careful with every detail thanks to the federation and the organisers.”Spain trained outdoors on Thursday despite hazardous air quality, a decision that drew criticism from health experts who believed the session should have been moved indoors.Scientists say the uncertainty lies in what happens after Saturday’s forecast rain.Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, warned another smoky air mass could quickly follow the weather system if wildfire activity intensifies.“The question is whether smoke behind that system reaches ground level over northern New Jersey on Sunday and, if so, how concentrated it becomes,” Weather Channel meteorologist Jonathan Belles added, noting that forecasts currently range from little ground-level smoke to concentrations that could become more concerning for players and spectators.Medical experts have cautioned that even “moderate” air pollution can affect elite athletes because intense exercise increases the amount of polluted air inhaled.
FIFA confident despite weather concerns
Despite the lingering uncertainty, tournament organisers remain optimistic that the final will proceed without disruption.Trump met FIFA president Gianni Infantino in New York on Friday, where both leaders hailed the expanded 48-team tournament as a landmark success.Standing alongside the World Cup trophy, Infantino praised the event’s impact.“The American dream, Mr. President, came to reality. We united the world,” he said, adding that millions of fans had come together “in a peaceful way, in a joyful way” across the United States, Canada and Mexico.Trump echoed those sentiments, calling the competition “one of the all-time greatest sporting events in history” before wishing both finalists well.“So good luck to Spain and Argentina on Sunday, and may the best team win,” the US president said.With record attendances, sold-out stadiums and global television audiences already making the tournament one of FIFA’s biggest successes, organisers will now hope the only drama left on Sunday comes on the pitch — and not from the smoky skies above New Jersey.
