‘Dirty, polluted air’: Trump blames Canada as wildfire smoke shrouds Argentina-Spain World Cup final

The Statue of Liberty stands like wildfire smoke blanketing the sky; US President Trump and FIFA President Infantino. (AP Photos) “We are holding Canada accountable.”With those words, US President Donald Trump injected politics into the run-up to Sunday’s World Cup final, blaming Canada for smoke from wildfires that has blanketed parts of the northeastern United States and sparked fresh uncertainty about conditions for soccer’s biggest game.Trump said in a post on his social network that the United States “is needlessly attacked with dirty, polluted and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous and completely unacceptable.” He also threatened new tariffs on Canada due to smoke billowing south from massive wildfires burning across the country.The comments came as organizers, teams and meteorologists continued to closely monitor air quality ahead of the Argentina-Spain final at the New York New Jersey Open Stadium in East Rutherford, where nearly 80,000 fans are expected.While forecasts currently call for “moderate” air quality until the start, experts warn uncertainty remains over whether another wave of smoke could follow the heavy rain expected on Saturday.

Smoke forecast leaves World Cup final under cloud

Spain midfielder Mikel Merino admitted the smoke could not be ignored, saying players could “see and feel” the haze hanging over northern New Jersey.However, the midfielder insisted that Spain were trying to block the distraction.“For a game as important as a World Cup final, you have to be able to rule out external factors as much as possible,” Merino said. “Fortunately, thanks to the federation and the organizers, we are careful with every detail.”Spain trained outdoors on Thursday despite dangerous air quality, a decision that drew criticism from health experts who believed training should be moved indoors.Scientists say the uncertainty lies in what will happen after Saturday’s forecast of rain.Mark Parrington, chief scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, warned that another smoky air mass could quickly follow the weather system if bushfire activity intensified.“The question is whether the smoke behind this system will reach ground level over northern New Jersey on Sunday, and if so, how concentrated it will be,” added Weather Channel meteorologist Jonathan Belles, adding that forecasts currently range from little smoke on the ground to concentrations that could be even more concerning for players and spectators.Medical experts have warned that even “moderate” air pollution can affect elite athletes, as vigorous exercise increases the amount of polluted air inhaled.

FIFA is confident despite weather concerns

Despite the lingering uncertainty, tournament organizers remain optimistic that the final will go ahead without interruption.Trump met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York on Friday, where both leaders hailed the expanded 48-team tournament as a landmark success.Infantino, standing next to the World Cup trophy, praised the impact of the event.“The American dream, Mr. President, has come true. We have united the world,” he said, adding that millions of fans gathered “in a peaceful way, in a joyful way” across the United States, Canada and Mexico.Trump echoed those sentiments, calling the contest “one of the greatest sporting events of all time in history” before wishing both finalists the best of luck.“So good luck to Spain and Argentina on Sunday and may the best team win,” the US president said.With record attendances, sell-out stadiums and a global television audience already making the tournament one of FIFA’s biggest successes, organizers will now be hoping the only drama left on Sunday comes on the pitch – and not from the smoky skies over New Jersey.