Spain’s last training session before Sunday’s World Cup final has been cancelled due to thunderstorms wreaking havoc on the New York City area.
FIFA confirmed the schedule changeup Saturday and said that there would not be another time slot for the team to train.
Organizers did not say whether Argentina’s session, scheduled for 11:30 am local time (1530 GMT), would go ahead as planned.
“The Spanish national team’s training session on the pitches at the Melanie Lane Training Ground in New Jersey has been suspended in accordance with the US storm safety protocol,” the Spanish federation said in a statement.
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“The players are currently taking part in a warm-up session indoors.”
The final will kick off at 3 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) on Sunday.
US choked by wildfire smoke ahead of final
The rain isn’t all bad news as it was expected to help dissipate thick wildfire smoke that has invaded the New York City area.
The eastern United States has been blanketed by heavy smoke this week, stemming from hundreds of wildfires burning across Canada and prompting widespread air quality warnings from officials.
Spain trained outside in the hazardous conditions Friday despite calls from experts to remain inside due to the health risks.
The World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium is expected to face minimal impact from the wildfire smoke, forecaster AccuWeather said Friday. A crowd of more than 80,000 is set to attend football’s biggest prize.
While air quality in East Rutherford, New Jersey, may still register below “good levels” on Sunday, AccuWeather predicts a notable improvement from the “poor to unhealthy” conditions anticipated for Saturday.
Meteorologist Adam Douty stated: “It may still not be considered good, but it should not be as bad as Saturday. It will also be less humid compared to Saturday, which will make for more comfortable conditions.”
The New York New Jersey region smelled of smoke under hazy skies this week, as local authorities urged residents to reduce strenuous outdoor activity.
