Not the Build-Up Anyone Expected: Spain Battles Smoke Before World Cup Final

Spain's preparations for the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina have been overshadowed by an unexpected challenge after thick smoke from Canadian wildfires engulfed parts of northern New Jersey , where the European champions held an outdoor training session on Thursday.

The Spanish squad trained at its base in East Hanover , despite air quality reaching hazardous levels earlier in the day. Media were allowed to watch only the opening 15 minutes of the scheduled one-hour session, making it unclear how intense the workout was under the difficult conditions.

Meanwhile, Argentina continued its preparations in the Atlanta area after its dramatic comeback victory over England , avoiding the smoke that has spread across large parts of the US Northeast and Midwest due to strong winds carrying pollution from wildfires in northern Ontario, Canada .

Health experts questioned the decision to train outdoors, warning that high-intensity exercise in smoke-filled air can significantly increase the amount of harmful particles inhaled by athletes.

Emergency physician Dr. Courtney Howard said elite players should ideally shift training indoors when air pollution reaches hazardous levels, rather than exposing themselves to wildfire smoke. Environmental health researchers also warned that even healthy athletes face increased risks because heavy exercise causes them to breathe far more polluted air.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow monitoring system, air quality in East Hanover improved during the day from "unhealthy" to "unhealthy for sensitive groups." Particle pollution, however, remained more than seven times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended standard .

Scientists say wildfire smoke contains thousands of harmful chemicals , including pollutants linked to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Prolonged exposure can trigger inflammation, worsen asthma and reduce lung function, even in otherwise healthy individuals.

There is, however, encouraging news ahead of Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford . Weather forecasts indicate the smoke is expected to clear, with air quality likely to improve to "moderate" before kickoff, reducing concerns for players and fans attending football's biggest match.