The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina could be delayed if current wildfire smoke conditions in the New York-New Jersey region persist, with a major weather warning issued
The World Cup final faces a potential delayed kick-off if current conditions persist in the New York-New Jersey area come match time.
Extraordinary weather patterns across the northeastern United States are sparking concerns about whether this weekend’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will go ahead as originally planned. The clash, scheduled to begin at 3 pm ET on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, could be impacted by worsening air quality caused by wildfire smoke drifting southward from Ontario, Canada.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino held talks with White House officials on Friday to “discuss the potential health dangers” created by the wildfire smoke, according to Sky Sports.
The general expectation remains that conditions will improve by Sunday, enabling the match to go ahead as intended, reports the Irish Star.
Some online betting markets are now even letting punters to gamble on whether the World Cup final will be postponed, and those placing bets on both platforms seem confident it will happen as scheduled.
At the moment, the chance of a delay stands at between 5% and 10% depending on which platform is used. More than $25,000 has been staked on the market across both platforms.
Weather and health officials have warned about the dangers of outdoor activity in such circumstances, including eye and throat irritation plus breathing problems. Pulmonologist Dr. Vin Gupta cautioned that the air quality can “cause an extreme amount of stress on the heart” and “is a very powerful and dangerous one-two punch to the human body.”
Beyond worries for supporter health and safety – with more than 80,000 spectators expected at MetLife Stadium for Sunday’s final – player wellbeing has also emerged as a major concern.
Both Spain and Argentina players could face exposure to hazardous air quality while competing outdoors for a minimum of 90 minutes.
Even should conditions improve – current predictions for Sunday at 3 pm ET suggest 80 degrees Fahrenheit and clear skies – the potential for lingering effects persists for both spectators and players taking part in the match.
One possible benefit for the players will be the extended half-time interval, which is anticipated to run 5 to 10 minutes longer than normal to accommodate the World Cup final half-time show featuring Shakira, Justin Bieber, and others.
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