FIFA has made a decision regarding the kick-off time for Sunday’s World Cup final. Spain and Argentina are due to start at 8pm UK time, but thunderstorms in New Jersey have disrupted preparations. Weather and air quality are a major concern ahead of the match after smoke from the Canadian wildfires severely affected surrounding areas.
New Jersey, where the final game will be held at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, was also hit by thunderstorms. Meanwhile, FIFA has advised fans to arrive several hours before kick-off due to long queues and security checks outside the ground. Security staff claim there is an issue with FIFA’s systems where some passes are not being scanned. However, the governing body confirmed that the match will start as scheduled at 8pm.
The latest setback occurred on Saturday when thunderstorms forced both finalists to make final preparation adjustments.
Spain’s outdoor practice scheduled at the Melanie Lane Training Facility in New Jersey was canceled under US storm safety regulations after lightning struck the area.
“In accordance with US storm safety regulations, the Spanish national team’s training on the pitch at the Melanie Lane training ground in New Jersey has been canceled,” the Spanish Football Federation said in a statement.
“The players are currently participating in warm-up exercises indoors.”
Argentina was also forced to make adjustments, with coach Lionel Scaloni’s team starting practice in Morristown, New Jersey, 45 minutes later than scheduled due to bad weather.
Thunderstorms are the latest concern surrounding the World Cup finals after experts earlier this week warned that rising temperatures and poor air quality could combine to create dangerous conditions for players and spectators.
Pulmonologist Dr Vin Gupta told the Daily Mail that the situation could be particularly dire.
“Not only is the air quality going to be terrible, but the heat can put extreme stress on the heart,” he says.
“It’s important to keep your core body temperature as low as possible.”
Despite the warnings, FIFA has confirmed there are no plans to postpone or relocate the match, and a White House official suggested via Bloomberg that there have been no formal discussions to change the match.
Spain sealed their place in the final with a 2-0 victory over France, while Argentina secured their place by defeating England 2-1 with Lautaro Martinez’s dramatic winning goal in second-half stoppage time.
Unless the situation deteriorates significantly further, the two countries will play for the 2026 World Cup trophy as scheduled on Sunday at 8pm UK time.
