Officials in many cities urged residents to stay indoors or wear masks outside as air quality reached unhealthy to hazardous levels, meaning it posed a health risk to everyone,
By Greta Ruffino with AP, AFP
Published on
17/07/2026 - 17:52 GMT+2
World Cup organizers said Friday they were "monitoring closely" the smoke gripping swaths of the United States ahead of the tournament's weekend final in New Jersey.
"There's been discussion about it, and we have somebody with the National Weather Service that sits in FIFA headquarters there, so we're monitoring closely," Andrew Giuliani, White House World Cup task force executive director, told a briefing.
Will the Canadian wildfire smoke affect the World Cup final?
Wildfire smoke engulfs millions in US ahead of World Cup final
Canadian wildfire smoke raises concerns ahead of World Cup 2026 final
World Cup and Wildfire Smoke
Air quality alert issued ahead of World Cup final in New York | The National
Canada wildfire smoke blankets New York, Chicago and Detroit days before World Cup final
Will wildfire smoke over New York threaten the World Cup final?
Wildfire smoke triggers air quality alert in the US ahead of World Cup final - Buenos Aires Herald
Air Quality Could Affect World Cup Final As Canada Fires Rage
Canadian Wildfire Smoke, Heat Hit NY, NJ Ahead Of World Cup Final
