FIFA has decided against moving Sunday's World Cup final, scheduled to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, despite concerns over air quality caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires. The championship match is set to feature Spain against Argentina.
Air quality in the region, including New Jersey, has been rated "unhealthy for sensitive groups" by multiple measurement platforms. Warnings have indicated that the combination of heat and poor air quality could pose significant health risks to both players and spectators, with one medical expert describing it as a "very dangerous and powerful one-two punch to the human body."
According to Bloomberg, FIFA and the White House's World Cup Task Force, led by Andrew Giuliani, have engaged in informal discussions regarding the ongoing wildfire smoke. However, no formal meetings are scheduled to consider relocating the final. Earlier this week, advice was reportedly given to some fans to sell their tickets for the game, and calls were made for World Cup organizers to implement additional hydration breaks for players during the match. Dr. Vin Gupta, a pulmonologist and board member of the American Lung Association, emphasized the potential strain on the heart from the combined effects of poor air quality and heat, stressing the importance of maintaining low core body temperatures.