Will wildfire smoke disrupt Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina? Nobody knows for sure, and the uncertainty carries real health stakes for the roughly 80,000 fans expected at the Meadowlands stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has clouded parts of the Northeast this week, and Spain midfielder Mikel Merino said he can see and smell it. Air quality improved Friday, but scientists warn conditions could worsen again before kickoff.
Mr. Merino said staying focused matters most. “For a game that is as important as a World Cup final, you have to be able to shut out external factors as much as possible,” he said Friday.
Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, said up to 1.25 inches of rain is expected Saturday. That storm could clear the air, or a fresh smoke mass trailing behind it could push back in before Sunday.
The stakes reach beyond the pitch. Wildfire smoke is linked to tens of thousands of deaths a year, medical studies show, triggering asthma attacks and heart problems within hours of exposure. Mr. Parrington said doctors generally advise limiting outdoor activity and exercise when smoke fills the air.
Spain practiced outdoors Thursday in hazardous conditions, a call that alarmed some experts who believed the session should have moved indoors. FIFA and the Spanish federation did not respond to questions.
Read more:
• Uncertainty clouds the forecast on whether wildfire smoke will affect the World Cup final
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