World Cup final faces wildfire smoke in New Jersey
Air quality could be a factor to watch at New York/New Jersey Stadium as wildfire smoke from Canada lingers.
Athletes have been struggling through the U.S. heat during this year’s World Cup. AccuWeather’s Anna Azallion says it’s not just heat that players are battling through, it’s also humidity.
The final game of the World Cup will feature lingering air quality concerns from Canadian wildfire smoke on Sunday.
[To see a recap of all the ways weather played a role in the 2026 World Cup, click here.]
The World Cup Trophy is displayed at New York/New Jersey Stadium ahead of the World Cup Final on July 15, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jordan Bank - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
While the third-place match in Miami, Florida, was played in typical midsummer heat and humidity on Saturday, conditions will differ dramatically on Sunday when the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina kicks off at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at 3 p.m. EDT.
Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires created a hazy sky and hazardous air quality across the region late this past week, with some cities experiencing dangerous levels of air pollution. Air quality alerts were in place on Saturday, including in East Rutherford.
Wildfire smoke can be especially concerning for children, older adults, pregnant people and those with asthma, COPD or heart disease. Fans attending outdoor events before the final may want to limit prolonged exertion if air quality remains poor, consider wearing a well-fitting mask such as an N95 and monitor local air quality alerts before heading out.
The New York City skyline, shrouded in smoke, is used as a backdrop for a man recording himself in Weehawken, N.J., Thursday, July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
However, for fans heading to the final, there could be at least one improvement just in time for kickoff.
“For the final, a cold front will be clearing the East Coast, leading to lowering humidity during the afternoon and evening,” Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said.
Douty said conditions should not feel as oppressive as they did earlier in the week with temperatures near the historical average for late July.
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