FIFA respond to fears World Cup final could be in doubt due to wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke from Canada shrouds the sun as it rises behind the Chrysler Building in New York (Picture: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

The

World Cup

final between Spain and Argentina is not at risk despite severe air pollution warnings in the area.

Argentina,

who beat England in a dramatic semi-final win this week

, take on Spain at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.

But there are concerns after health alerts were issued by officials in New York and New Jersey following wildfires across the border in Canada.

The fires have sent smoke clouds across large parts of the north east of the United States and have already disrupted domestic games in the region.

The Major League Soccer game between Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps at Soldier Field in Chicago was postponed on Thursday night due to the poor air quality.

The National Women’s Soccer League between Gotham FC and Washington Spirit did go ahead in Queens, New York, despite the concerns.

The game included two hydration breaks in each half with Spirit player Trinity Rodman admitting the smoke did impact the players. ‘Air quality was rough,’ Rodman said after the game. ‘Not to make excuses at all, but I think on both sides we were all like, “another break, another break, another break.”’

Spain trained in New Jersey on Thursday (Picture: Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Despite the concerns, ESPN report

FIFA

have no fears over Sunday’s final in East Rutherford with the game not under threat.

Metro

have contacted FIFA for comment.

It is hoped conditions will improve leading into Sunday with rain forecasted for Saturday which will help disperse the smoke.

Sunday will be a battle between Messi and Yamal (Picture: Odd ANDERSEN and Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

The National Weather Service in New York posted to social media Friday: ‘Smoke still lingers today, especially towards the south, but it should be less intense than yesterday in our region. The smoke may thicken again in the overnight into Saturday morning.’

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FIFA respond to fears World Cup final could be in doubt due to wildfire smoke

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