World Cup final forecast remains fluid with smoky conditions hanging over NYC, New Jersey

The smoky haze hanging over New York and northern New Jersey has become an unwelcome backdrop for the biggest soccer match in the world.For the last several days, the massive wildfires in Canada have been sending plumes of smoke across much of the eastern United States, putting the air quality for Sunday’s World Cup Final center stage before nearly 80,000 fans are expected to gather at MetLife Stadium.On Thursday, Spanish and Argentine supporters exited the three major New York/New Jersey airports enveloped in a thick smoky haze that smelled like they were inside a campfire.The air quality was so bad that health officials recommended nobody go outdoors for extended periods throughout the weekend, and to wear an N95 mask if they do go outside.The increasing concern and health risks have created an anxiety that has hung over the World Cup Final like a dark impenetrable cloud.

Unlike several other enclosed stadiums across the country where the Final could have been held, MetLife Stadium is an open-air complex that will see close to 100,000 people spend more than five hours outdoors.The good news is that, at least for now, there is cautious optimism.Weather forecasters expect heavy rain and thunderstorms Saturday to scrub much of the smoke from the atmosphere, improving air quality considerably before Sunday’s Final.Current projections call for air quality conditions to go from “poor” to “moderate,” though meteorologists continue to stress that Sunday’s forecast remains fluid.

Another huge plume of smoke could arrive from Canada right behind the weekend storm, and whether it settles near the stadium remains the biggest unanswered question.Meanwhile, Spain opted to train outdoors Thursday in New Jersey even with air quality reaching unhealthy levels, causing respiratory experts to raise concern, especially because Spain arrived earlier than Argentina, accumulating more exposure to the smoky conditions.Argentina chose to remain and train in Atlanta.“For...