World Cup final reportedly not expected to be affected by air quality issues

The poor air quality in the New York/New Jersey area will reportedly not affect Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, according to ESPN.

>Wildfires from Canada have led to smoke spreading across parts of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. As of Friday morning, the Air Quality Index for the region was rated as "unhealthy," which could cause health effects to the general public. The hazardous air conditions have prompted government officials and health experts to warn people to stay indoors. Those who must go outdoors to travel or work were urged to wear N95 or KN95 masks.

>Despite the conditions, Spain practiced for an hour outside in northern New Jersey on Thursday morning. Argentina was set to travel north from Atlanta on Friday.

>Sunday’s match is set to kick off at 3 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

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>Two sporting events were affected by the air quality with the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies moving their Thursday game at Citizen Bank Park up an hour as forecasts had more smoke blowing back into the area later in the evening. On the first day MLS returned to action after breaking for the World Cup in late May, the Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps match at Chicago's Soldier Field was postponed and rescheduled for Oct. 6.

>The National Weather Service in New York posted on X that the smoke should be “less intense” on Friday compared to Thursday, but “may thicken again” into Saturday morning. The Northeast is expected to be hit with storms on Saturday, which could dampen the smoke and improve the air quality heading into Sunday.

>Spain will be vying for its second World Cup title and first since they won in South Africa in 2010. Argentina has won the tournament three times, including four years ago in Qatar.