Thunderstorms expected Saturday will clear Canadian wildfire smoke from New Jersey, ensuring acceptable air quality for the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The air will improve from "unhealthy" to "moderate" by Sunday, according to meteorologists from AccuWeather and The Weather Channel.
The wildfire smoke had forced Spain to cancel its last outdoor training session, raising concerns about the final's conditions. President Donald Trump had even threatened tariffs against Canada over the smoke drifting across the border.
"The air will be dramatically better for the final," meteorologists confirmed. Atmospheric currents and expected Saturday thunderstorms will wash away smoke particles in time for Sunday evening's kickoff.
