NEW YORK — Smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the New York City area this week, resulting in dangerous air quality readings.
The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is set for Sunday afternoon in open-air MetLife Stadium in nearby East Rutherford, New Jersey.
On Friday morning, East Rutherford had an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading around 160, which is considered “unhealthy,” according to government tracking website AirNow. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends shortening outdoor activity for all individuals, and that sensitive groups, including children, should “keep outdoor activities short.” That reading was an improvement from Thursday, when the AQI was above 200 in the New York area, crossing into “very unhealthy” levels.
New York City meteorologist John Davitt said Friday morning that the smoke will be gone on Sunday. The National Weather Service predicts Sunday will be sunny with a high around 82 degrees in East Rutherford, while AccuWeather forecasts “improved air quality.”
It’s unclear how FIFA would handle a potential air-quality issue on Sunday. FIFA did not respond to multiple requests to clarify its policy around air quality and what level of reading would delay or postpone a match. A public safety app partnering with the New York New Jersey host committee issued a public service alert on Thursday and Friday morning, warning fans of the smoke. FIFA monitored air quality at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, according to its website.
