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“We hold Canada responsible.”With those words, US President Donald Trump injected politics into the run-up to Sunday’s World Cup final, blaming Canada for smoke from wildfires that blanketed parts of the northeastern United States and raised new uncertainty about conditions for soccer’s biggest game.In a post on his social media platform, Trump said the United States was “needlessly assaulted with dirty, polluted and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous and completely unacceptable!” He also threatened new tariffs on Canada due to smoke drifting southward from massive wildfires burning across the country.The comments came as organizers, teams and meteorologists continued to closely monitor air quality ahead of the final between Argentina and Spain at the New York New Jersey Open Stadium in East Rutherford, where nearly 80,000 fans are expected.While forecasts currently call for “moderate” air quality until kick-off, experts warn uncertainty remains over whether another wave of smoke could follow Saturday’s heavy rain.
A smoky forecast leaves the World Cup final under a cloud
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino admitted the smoke was impossible to ignore, saying the players could “see and smell” the haze hanging over northern New Jersey.However, the midfielder insisted that Spain were trying to prevent interference.“For a game as important as a World Cup final, you have to be able to shut out external factors as much as possible,” Merino said. Fortunately, we take care of every detail thanks to the association and the organizers.Spain trained outdoors on Thursday despite dangerous air quality, a decision that drew criticism from health experts who felt training should have been moved indoors.Scientists say the uncertainty lies in what will happen after Saturday’s forecast rain.Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service, warned that another smoky air mass could quickly follow the weather system if the fires intensify.“The question is whether the smoke behind that system reaches ground level over northern New Jersey on Sunday and, if so, how concentrated it becomes,” added Weather Channel meteorologist Jonathan Belles, noting that forecasts currently range from little ground-level smoke to concentrations that could become more concerning for players and spectators.Medical experts warn that even “moderate” air pollution can affect top athletes because intense exercise increases the amount of polluted air inhaled.
FIFA confident despite the weather
Despite the lingering uncertainty, tournament organizers remain optimistic that the finals will go ahead without interruption.Trump met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in New York on Friday, where both leaders hailed the expanded 48-team tournament as a significant success.Standing next to the World Cup trophy, Infantino praised the performance of the event.“The American dream, Mr. President, has become a reality. We have united the world,” he said, adding that millions of fans had gathered “in a peaceful way, in a joyful way” across the United States, Canada and Mexico.Trump echoed those sentiments, calling the contest “one of the greatest sporting events of all time in history” before wishing both finalists good luck.“Good luck to Spain and Argentina on Sunday, and may the best team win,” the US president said.With record attendances, sell-out stadiums and a global television audience already making the tournament one of FIFA’s biggest successes, organizers will now be hoping the only drama left on Sunday takes place on the pitch — and not from the smoky skies over New Jersey.
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