World Cup final in danger? A fire in Canada covered New York with smoke

Record-breaking forest fires in Canada have also become a problem for Americans. Thick, acrid smoke reaches far south of the border and covers, among others, New York.

Wildfires in Canada. What about the World Cup final?

The Canadian government reported on Thursday, July 16, that the number of active fires is estimated at 858, and as many as 111 of them are not controlled by the services. Estimated data indicate that 2.4 million hectares of forests have been consumed by flames. The worst situation is expected to occur in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario.

In the contiguous United States, smoke stretches from the Midwest to the Northeast. An IQAuir study found that Detroit had the worst air quality in the world on Thursday. The rates were twice the safe limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

As many as ten conditions were reported to have “unhealthy” readings. The photos of New York, shrouded in orange fog, were very impressive. The services appealed to metropolitan residents to limit the time spent outdoors to a minimum. Especially people in the high-risk group were to stay at home: people with lung or heart disease, the elderly and pregnant women.

World Cup final threatened by smoke? The game in Chicago was postponed

The media’s attention was also drawn to the fact that the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is to be held at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) on Sunday. Over 80,000 people are expected to watch the event at the stadium. fans. In turn, 50 thousand the next ones will be gathered in Central Park in Manhattan in a special fan zone.

Experts point out that it is difficult to expect players to play the most important match of the World Cup in such conditions. Fans will also be at risk and may be forced to wear masks.

Meteorologists bring hope, predicting heavy rains on Saturday. – It’s going to rain heavily on Saturday so that should dissipate a lot of the smoke. I think a weather front will pass through the area on Sunday morning, which should dissipate any remaining smoke, meteorologist Alex DaSilva told Reuters.

However, it is possible that we will not avoid moving the match to another stadium. The match between Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps has already been canceled due to smoke. The captain of the Polish national team, Robert Lewandowski, was to make his debut for the hosts in this match.

World Cup final. Where and when to watch?

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.