Canadian wildfire smog has cast a thick, hazardous haze over New York City and crossed the Hudson River to East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is set for Sunday. The air quality, currently listed as "very unhealthy," has dampened the atmosphere, with Argentina fans at 42nd St & Port Authority Bus Terminal receiving complimentary high-filtration respiratory masks on Thursday.
FIFA Confident in Air Quality Improvement
FIFA are relaxed that the smog will clear substantially by kick-off, with Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic set to officiate. The smoke is expected to disperse during Saturday's rain showers, according to forecasts. However, the ordeal has highlighted that the MetLife Stadium, a 82,500-seat venue home to the New York Giants and Jets, is a less than ideal setting for the showpiece event.
Four Better Alternatives for the Final
Critics argue that several other venues would have been more fitting: Mexico City's Estadio Azteca offers history and soul; Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Arena provides unique glamour; LA's SoFi Stadium boasts scale and groundbreaking attention to detail; and Dallas' AT&T Stadium exudes prestige. MetLife Stadium, by contrast, has been described as resembling a "jazzed up multi-story carpark" and is difficult to access.
Football Takes Center Stage
Despite the smog and venue concerns, the match-up itself is compelling. Spain and Argentina were originally scheduled to meet in the Finalissima after winning their respective continental titles, but the fixture in Qatar was cancelled in March due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Now, the final feels like destiny, with subplots including Lionel Messi's potential last international appearance, his chase for a first World Cup Golden Boot (currently on eight goals), and Argentina's bid to become the first country to retain the trophy on a different continent, as well as the first since 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
Coaching Connections and Records
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente was a mentor to Argentina's Lionel Scaloni during the latter's UEFA Pro Coaching license course. Scaloni, 48, could win his fifth international title, and all 23 previous World Cup-winning managers have been native to their nations—a record that will extend to 24 regardless of Sunday's result. Spain, known as La Roja, have gone 37 matches without defeat and conceded just once in the tournament.
Remarkably, the two finalist coaches have a combined total of just 11 professional club matches managed (with Alaves in 2011 for de la Fuente), despite the competition featuring big-name coaches like Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, and Julian Nagelsmann.
