Press reports have revealed the possibility of postponing the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina due to air pollution caused by the ongoing forest fires in Canada.
The final is scheduled to take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, but the thick smoke from the fires has led to a decline in air quality in a number of American cities, including New York, raising concerns about the match being held on time.
Major League Soccer had already decided to postpone a game between Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps due to air pollution, after the air quality index in some areas exceeded 240, a rating considered "very unhealthy".
Authorities in Chicago also closed a number of public facilities and canceled outdoor events, while Washington declared a state of alert as air quality reached the red level due to smoke coming from Canada.
Despite these developments, reports indicate that the possibility of postponing the World Cup final remains slim, but FIFA is closely monitoring the situation and has health protocols that allow for the match to be rescheduled if weather conditions prove to pose a risk to the health of players and fans.
According to the Canadian Joint Wildfire Centre, Canada is currently experiencing 876 active fires, 202 of which are out of control, while the number of wildfires recorded since the beginning of 2026 has exceeded 3,500.
Football fans are eagerly awaiting the final, in which Argentina will seek to retain its world title, while Spain aims to win its second World Cup title after its first victory in 2010.
