There will be no World Cup final? Critical news straight from the USA!

We reported on WPROST that the situation in the United States is difficult when the Chicago Fire match was canceled. Robert Lewandowski’s new club was to have its first meeting with the Pole on board on the night from Thursday to Friday (i.e. July 16-17). However, this did not happen due to the fires that hit Canada.

Will the 2026 World Cup final be canceled? President Donald Trump opens up about penalties!

Dangerous, toxic smoke from a forest fire in Canada, along with high levels of ozone pollution, has caused dark clouds and dust to appear over many American cities. The state Environmental Protection Agency and the National Weather Service (NWS) have decided to almost literally close down cities such as Chicago, thereby depriving residents of any physical activity.

However, it turns out that the days pass and the problem still exists in the USA. The air quality in New York before the World Cup final is so bad that it is compared to smoking the equivalent of 10 cigarettes a day. This prompted the issuance of an additional health warning for the public.

Wildfires in Canada have sent toxic clouds of smoke across New York and New Jersey, turning the sky gray and making even the simplest outdoor exercises difficult. Let alone playing professional football.

Donald Trump also commented on the disturbing situation. The US president admitted he wants Canadians to pay for air pollution in the United States and said the costs would be added to tariffs.

These words were said during a press conference attended by UEFA president Gianni Infantino. Both men were full of humor, thanking each other for everything they had done…

Reuters reports that the air quality during Sunday’s World Cup final may harm all participants, from the players and coaches to the fans gathered in the stands.

The only saving grace is the forecasted rain, which is supposed to dissipate the smoke a bit in the New York area. However, intensive talks will continue between Andrew Giuliani (head of the White House task force for the World Cup) and FIFA regarding the conditions prevailing in the face of such an unexpected but serious problem.

World Cup 2026. Where and when will the 2026 World Cup medal games be played?

From June 11 to July 19, the 23rd FIFA World Cup will be held on pitches in three countries – the United States, Mexico and Canada. An event that will certainly be unique, if only because of its format. For the first time in history, as many as 48 teams took part in the main tournament.

The title from four years ago is defended by the Argentines. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Messi and company defeated the French in the final, winning after a series of penalties (4:2). In the history of football World Cups, Brazil has the most titles – as many as five. Four victories in the history of the World Championships belong to the Italians and Germans. The Argentines won three times. More than once, the trophy for winning the World Cup was raised – twice – by the players of France and Uruguay.

The Polish national team was third twice at the World Championships, but those were the old days – we are talking about the events in 1974 and 1982. At the last World Cup, Poles managed to advance to the knockout phase, but were eliminated in the 1/8 finals by the French (1:3).

In this year’s final, the Albicelestes will face Spain. The Argentines eliminated the English in the semi-finals (2-1), while the European champions won (2-0) against the world runners-up, the French. The match for 3rd place will be played on Saturday.

France – England match on Saturday (July 18) from 11 p.m. in Miami. A day later, the grand final, Argentina – Spain, from 9 p.m. in New York/New Jersey.

Matches of the 2026 World Cup can only be watched on Polish Television – on TVP Sport, TVP 1 and TVP 2 and on tvpsport.pl. Additionally, broadcasts will be available in the TVP Sport mobile application and smart TV.