Spain Train Through Wildfire Haze Ahead Of FIFA World Cup Final

Published 17 July 2026 · sports

Spain Train Through Wildfire Haze Ahead Of FIFA World Cup Final Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 20:52 IST Spain's FIFA World Cup final

Spain Train Through Wildfire Haze Ahead Of FIFA World Cup Final Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 20:52 IST Spain's FIFA World Cup final training in New Jersey faces wildfire smoke. Argentina train in Georgia, unaffected. Air quality concerns rise for athletes. Rapid Read Spain players celebrate after the World Cup semifinal against France (Picture credit: AP) The Spanish football team practised outdoors before the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, even as smoke filled the air in northern New Jersey, due to a wildfire that led to the sun being obstructed by haze. It was tough to gauge the intensity of Spain’s training session, as media members were permitted to watch only the first 15 minutes of the hour-long practice that started at 8:30 pm IST in East Hanover on Thursday, according to a report in the Associated Press. Argentina stayed in the Atlanta area for a training session less than 24 hours after coming from behind to defeat England and bag a place in a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final.

Argentina’s base in Marietta, Georgia, is far enough south to remain unaffected by the wildfire smoke drifting southeast from northern Ontario, which has prompted air quality warnings across parts of the U.S. Midwest and Northeast. Authorities requested residents to remain indoors or wear masks when outside as air quality deteriorated to unhealthy and hazardous levels, posing health risks to everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions. The conditions also raised concerns among experts about the safety of holding outdoor training sessions. “These are high-level athletes who are moving a lot of air through their lungs during every practice in every game and really they should not be practising outside if the air quality levels are at hazardous sort of ranges for wildfire-related air pollution," Dr Courtney Howard, an emergency room physician, was quoted as saying by AP. FIFA and the Spanish Football Association didn’t respond to requests for comment on whether relocating or altering training plans had been considered.

But the smoke is expected to clear well before Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 am IST on July 20. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will air quality impact the FIFA World Cup final match? Wildfire smoke has caused air quality concerns in New Jersey where Spain is training for the FIFA World Cup final. While Argentina's training location is unaffected, health experts have raised concerns about athletes practicing in hazardous air. What health risks do athletes face from wildfire smoke? Athletes face health risks from wildfire smoke due to toxins like formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds. Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency room physician, stated that high-level athletes should not practice outdoors in hazardous air quality ranges caused by wildfire smoke.