Some soccer fans are being advised to sell their tickets to the World Cup final as smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets much of the northeastern United States just days before Spain take on Argentina.
World Cup chiefs are also facing calls to introduce more hydration breaks at MetLife Stadium on Sunday to keep players safe amid a ‘very dangerous and powerful one-two punch to the human body.’
New York City began feeling the effects of the wildfires this week and local authorities issued an alert, urging residents to reduce strenuous outdoor activity and take extra breaks if they are outside.
On Thursday the air quality in New Jersey, site of the stadium, was rated as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ by several air quality measurement platforms. And one expert has warned that both players and fans could be affected by the conditions.
‘It not only is going to be terrible, terrible air quality. It’s hot, and that can cause an extreme amount of stress on the heart [for players],’ said Dr Vin Gupta, a pulmonologist and board of directors member at the American Lung Association.
‘That is a very powerful and dangerous one-two punch to the human body. It’s going to be critical to maintain core body temperatures as low as possible.’
Some soccer fans are being advised to sell their tickets to the World Cup final on Sunday
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has hit the northeastern US before Spain take on Argentina
Gupta believes there is a need for more than just the two hydration breaks in every game in order to protect players – despite widespread opposition to their introduction this summer.
He also suggested that fans with health issues wear masks in the stadium or even consider selling their tickets.
‘If you’re immunocompromised for whatever reason, consider watching the game at home instead of going in person. So sell your tickets if that’s an option if air quality is going to be bad on Sunday,’ he said.
More than 80,000 people are expected to attend the World Cup final between holders Argentina and Spain, the European champions, at the open-air New York-New Jersey stadium, while another 50,000 are expected to watch the game from Central Park in Manhattan.
Wildfire smoke from northern Canada has been a common summer occurrence across wide swaths of the United States in recent years.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on Thursday the smoke was creating unhealthy air conditions across the state and urged people to stay indoors.
But, according to another expert, a cold front expected on the weekend will help dissipate the dangerous haze in time for Sunday’s final.
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are looking to secure a second consecutive World Cup title
Argentina will take on Spain, the European champions, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
‘The areas where the smoke is the densest can actually cause respiratory problems. So those who may be a little bit more sensitive or may have respiratory issues may want to stay inside for as long as possible,’ AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva told Reuters in an interview.
‘It’s going to rain a lot on Saturday, so that should dissipate a lot of the smoke. Sunday morning, I think we’re going to be seeing a cold front come through the area and it should kick out any remaining smoke that we’re seeing.’
DaSilva said while spectators should try to limit their outdoor activities as much as possible on the day before the final, any risk would be lower by the time the match kicks off at 3pm Eastern time on Sunday.
‘We are going to be seeing some of that smoke moving out of the area as we go into the weekend,’ he added.
