New York area storms affect World Cup final training sessions

By Arjun Nair / 19.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 18 July 2026 — 3 min read

Spain’s Training Session Cancelled

The final training session for Spain ahead of the World Cup final was cancelled due to severe thunderstorms in the New York and New Jersey areas on Saturday. Luis de la Fuente’s squad was scheduled to train at the Melanie Lane training ground in New Jersey. The session was initially suspended before being called off entirely.

According to the Spanish federation (RFEF), the decision to suspend the training session was made in accordance with US storm safety protocols. These protocols mandate that any outdoor sporting event must be suspended if lightning or electrical activity is detected within an eight-mile radius of the venue. Events can only resume after a minimum of 30 minutes without further lightning strikes.

The players instead participated in an indoor warm-up session. Fifa, the global governing body for football and the organisers of the World Cup, confirmed that no alternative time slots would be available for the European champions to train on Saturday.

Impact on Argentina’s Preparations

Approximately five miles away, Argentina, the defending champions, also experienced disruptions to their training schedule. Their session, set to begin at 11:30 a.m. at the home of the New York Red Bulls, was delayed by 45 minutes due to the same storm conditions. Despite the delay, Argentina was eventually able to conduct their training.

The storms affected both teams’ final preparations for the decisive match. Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, had previously highlighted the importance of this final training session. He noted that key players, including Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro, had sustained minor injuries during their 2-0 semifinal victory over France on Tuesday and required the session to regain full fitness.

Despite the critical nature of the session for injury recovery, De la Fuente and his staff opted to prioritize player comfort and safety over waiting in a locker room for the weather to clear. The decision was made to cancel the outdoor training rather than risk further delays or exposure to the adverse conditions.

The New York City Mayor, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, issued a flood advisory for the city on Saturday, urging residents to avoid risking their safety in the dangerous conditions. The advisory recommended caution while traveling and advised against walking, biking, or driving through floodwaters. Public transit was recommended where possible, and seeking indoor shelter was advised if storms were severe.

Weather Conditions and Air Quality

The severe thunderstorms brought torrential rain to the New York City area, leading to a flood watch that was in effect until Sunday at 2 a.m. ET. While the immediate impact was disruptive, the storms were also anticipated to bring a potential benefit regarding air quality.

Earlier in the week, officials in New York and New Jersey had issued an air quality health alert due to haze caused by wildfires in Canada. The storms were expected to improve the poor air quality, bringing the Air Quality Index (AQI) numbers down to non-concerning levels before the final match.

The forecast for Sunday’s final at the New York New Jersey Stadium anticipates mild, sunny conditions with highs of 82°F, suggesting that the extreme rainfall and flooding would subside by then. However, the effects of the flooding could still lead to heavier traffic and potential detours for fans traveling to the stadium, necessitating allowances for delays.

Spain secured their place in the final by defeating France, while Argentina advanced after a late comeback victory against England, winning 2-1 on Wednesday. The final match between Spain and Argentina is scheduled for Sunday at 20:00 BST.

Source: bbc.com