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Wildfire smoke has blanketed New York City, sparking concerns about whether the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will proceed as scheduled.

The highly anticipated clash is set for Sunday at MetLife Stadium, located just outside New York City. However, environmental conditions have deteriorated in recent days due to large wildfires burning across Canada.

Thick smoke has drifted southward over the border, casting an orange haze across New York and prompting local authorities to issue public health alerts. Residents have been advised to remain indoors as much as possible and to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Members of the National Guard have been distributing masks to help New Yorkers cope with the poor air quality. According to an expert quoted by the New York Post, a day spent outdoors in these conditions could have the same health impact as smoking ten cigarettes, as fine particles from the smoke can enter the bloodstream.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to hold emergency discussions with White House officials this week to assess the safety risks. There is precedent for football matches being postponed due to similar conditions — the Major League Soccer fixture between Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps was called off earlier this week, as was a National Women's Soccer League match in New York on Wednesday.

Current forecasts suggest that most of the lingering smoke will have dispersed before Sunday’s 3 pm local time kick-off on July 19. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup task force, stated: “Testing will be administered if it is necessary. We’ve had the National Weather Service working closely with FIFA from the start of this tournament.

“The good news right now, touch wood, is that it looks like the weather will clear by Sunday. Hopefully, this means it will no longer be a concern. We will continue discussions this afternoon and evening, keeping a close watch to ensure conditions are safe and healthy not only for the players but also for the fans attending the final.”

Rainfall expected on Saturday and continuing into Sunday should further help to clear the haze. Showers are forecast for Saturday evening, becoming lighter and more scattered on the day of the final.

Sunday’s final is expected to take place under sunny skies with temperatures around 28°C. A second hydration break might be introduced if air quality remains poor.

Standard severe weather protocols will apply in case of thunderstorms. Under U.S. safety regulations for outdoor sporting events, play must be delayed or suspended if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium. All players, coaches, and officials must move indoors, while spectators are instructed to leave the stands and take shelter. The match can only resume once the area has been free of lightning for a full 30 minutes.