The thick smoke blanketing New York and much of the eastern seaboard has sparked a mix of amusement and concern in cities like Dallas and Los Angeles, where residents are set to observe the World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium, commonly referred to as MetLife Stadium, tomorrow.
Despite being overlooked for the final by FIFA in February 2024, the stadiums in Dallas and Los Angeles are regarded as superior venues, free from the climatic challenges posed by New York, which was chosen due to its global appeal and favorable time zone for European viewers.
Concerns regarding the MetLife venue primarily revolved around the sweltering summer heat typical to New York. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández previously labeled these conditions as “very dangerous” after a Club World Cup semi-final last year. However, this week, FIFA now faces the additional complication of poor air quality due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
The smoke has drifted southward, impacting many eastern U.S. cities, prompting the air quality advisory to be adjusted from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” late Thursday.
New York City’s emergency management officials issued a citywide code red from Tuesday to Thursday, advising residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and to avoid intense physical activity. These advisories hardly set the stage for the most significant match in global sports, which is expected to draw a staggering television audience of 1.6 billion.
Visibility in downtown Manhattan was severely reduced by the smoke, which obscured landmarks like the Statue of Liberty across the Hudson River. The conditions were so dire that numerous flights from Newark airport in New Jersey were canceled.
By Friday, conditions appeared to be improving, and FIFA officials expressed optimism for the final on Sunday, especially with rain anticipated on Saturday that might alleviate the worst of the smoke. Nevertheless, the unpredictable weather has already disrupted sporting events.
A National Women’s Soccer League match between Gotham and Washington Spirit in Queens was played under an orange-hued haze on Wednesday, necessitating additional breaks for players in accordance with the NWSL’s air quality guidelines.
Considering the uproar surrounding FIFA’s decision to introduce hydration breaks at the World Cup, the idea of extra stoppages could provoke further discontent.
The weather challenges are particularly disappointing for New York, a city that has wholeheartedly embraced the World Cup despite the final venue being selected with a global audience in mind.
While the New York Knicks’ remarkable NBA championship victory over the San Antonio Spurs overshadowed the tournament’s launch last month, the World Cup has gained real momentum since.
All seven prior games at MetLife have sold out, and securing reservations at restaurants and bars to watch England’s recent semi-final defeat to Argentina proved to be quite a challenge.
Beyond the weather, the most significant hurdle for fans attending the final is the accessibility of the stadium, which NFL followers consider notoriously difficult to reach due to limited public transportation and the challenges posed by the Lincoln Tunnel connecting Manhattan with New Jersey.
To complicate matters further, parking will be restricted to guests and VIPs, with a notable increase in bus and rail travel costs for the tournament. A collaborative effort from the governments of New York and New Jersey has reduced the initial matchday return fare on New Jersey Transit trains from $150 (£112) to $98, yet this remains steep for a brief 20-minute journey. For those deterred by the high costs, shuttle buses from Manhattan will be available for $20.
Donald Trump is expected to make a more dramatic entrance, with his Marine One helicopter scheduled to fly over the stadium before landing at the nearby Teterboro airport. Although FIFA has not publicly acknowledged it, managing the president’s presence remains a concern. Following the controversy that arose when Trump seemingly intruded on Chelsea’s Club World Cup celebrations, which left captain Reece James puzzled, FIFA has been proactive in confirming that he will present the trophy alongside Infantino. This mirrors a precedent set four years ago when the emir of Qatar draped a traditional Arab cloak over Lionel Messi before he accepted the trophy from Infantino. With Trump, there is no telling what he might have in store.
FIFA attempted to gauge Trump’s plans by meeting with him at Trump Tower on Friday afternoon, necessitating road closures across several blocks and causing significant disruption on Fifth Avenue. FIFA hopes this is not an ominous sign of what lies ahead.
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