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Spain’s preparations for the World Cup final against Argentina have come under scrutiny after the team continued outdoor training in East Hanover, New Jersey, despite widespread warnings about hazardous air quality caused by wildfire smoke drifting in from Canada.

Manager Luis de la Fuente’s squad held their usual session on Friday, just days after defeating France to secure their place in Sunday’s title clash. Environmental experts had advised teams to train indoors due to the severe smoke conditions affecting large parts of the United States.

Midfielder Mikel Merino acknowledged that the smoke was clearly visible and could be smelled during training sessions. However, he insisted that the players were maintaining focus on the upcoming final. “For a game as important as a World Cup final, you have to block out external factors as much as possible,” Merino said on Friday. “Fortunately, we are paying attention to every detail, thanks to the federation and the World Cup organisers.”

Neither FIFA nor the Spanish Football Association responded to inquiries about whether indoor training had been considered as a precautionary measure. It remains uncertain how, or if, the air quality will impact the final match.

The World Health Organization has projected an improvement in air quality to a “moderate” level in East Rutherford, where the final will be played. Conditions were reported to have improved slightly on Friday, though forecasts indicate up to 1.25 inches (3.17 centimetres) of rain could fall on Saturday, raising questions about how subsequent weather patterns might affect air conditions for Sunday.

Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, explained, “After that rainfall, another smoky air mass appears to be moving in behind the system, but it’s uncertain how much it will impact New York or New Jersey by Sunday. If fire intensity increases again through Saturday, more smoke could enter the atmosphere and quickly follow the rain.”

Wildfire smoke, which has become more common as global temperatures rise, poses serious health risks. Studies have shown that exposure can cause widespread inflammation and respiratory problems, and is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually. Medical experts warn that smoke exposure can trigger asthma, cardiovascular stress, and other respiratory conditions within hours of contact.

Parrington added that it is generally advisable to limit outdoor physical activity when the air is heavily polluted. “There are obvious risks for people with respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular issues, or asthma,” he said. “They will definitely feel the effects.”

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet FIFA President Gianni Infantino later on Friday. Reports from Sky Sports indicate that White House officials are expected to discuss the potential health concerns posed by the smoke with FIFA representatives.

Approximately 80,000 spectators are expected to attend the final at the MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets. The open-air design of the venue has increased concern about how the smoky conditions might affect both players and fans during the highly anticipated showdown between Spain and Argentina.