New York faces smoke, travel concerns ahead of World Cup final

By Arjun Nair / 18.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 18 July 2026 — 3 min read

Air Quality Concerns for the Final

The World Cup final in New York New Jersey Stadium, also known as MetLife Stadium, on Sunday is facing challenges from thick wildfire smoke originating in Canada. This smoke has spread across many eastern US cities, leading to air quality alerts. On Thursday, the air quality advisory for the region was elevated from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy.”

Emergency management officials in New York City issued a citywide code red from Tuesday to Thursday, advising residents to remain indoors unless necessary and to avoid strenuous physical activity. The smoke was so dense that the Statue of Liberty was temporarily obscured from view, and numerous flights from Newark Airport in New Jersey were cancelled. While conditions started to improve on Friday, and rain is anticipated for Saturday, the air quality has already impacted sporting events.

A National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) match between Gotham and Washington Spirit in Queens on Wednesday was played amidst an orange-brown haze. Players in that match were instructed to take two additional breaks during each half, adhering to the NWSL’s policy for poor air quality. The prospect of similar stoppages during the World Cup final could lead to further discussion, especially given previous controversies surrounding hydration breaks in the tournament.

The New York metro area, including New Jersey where the final will be held, experienced air quality that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, though this marked an improvement from Thursday when the Manhattan skyline was barely visible due to smog. Forecasters from the National Weather Service have indicated that the smoke might intensify overnight into Saturday morning. However, FIFA confirmed on Friday that the current negative air quality from the wildfires does not pose a threat to the World Cup final, with tournament organisers closely monitoring the situation.

Travel and Accessibility Issues

Beyond the weather, another significant concern for the final is stadium accessibility. MetLife Stadium is known among NFL fans for being difficult to reach, primarily due to limited public transportation options and the challenges of navigating the Lincoln Tunnel, which connects Manhattan to New Jersey.

Adding to these difficulties, parking on Sunday will be restricted to guests and VIPs only. The cost of bus and rail travel has also seen substantial increases for the tournament. Although a joint effort by the governments of New York and New Jersey, including a subsidy, reduced the initial matchday return price for New Jersey Transit trains from $150 to $98, this amount remains high for what is a relatively short journey.

For those seeking more affordable alternatives, shuttle buses from Manhattan will be available at a cost of $20. Despite these challenges, all seven previous World Cup games held at MetLife Stadium have been sold out, indicating strong local engagement with the tournament.

Presidential Presence and Protocol

The presence of Donald Trump is also anticipated to be a notable aspect of the final. His helicopter, Marine One, is expected to fly over the stadium before landing at nearby Teterboro Airport. While FIFA has not publicly stated it, managing the former president’s involvement is considered another significant concern.

Following a previous incident where Trump appeared to join Chelsea’s celebrations after their Club World Cup victory last year, which reportedly left captain Reece James perplexed, FIFA has taken steps to manage the situation. They have confirmed that Trump will present the trophy alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

A precedent for this type of presentation was established four years ago when Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, placed a traditional Arab cloak on Lionel Messi’s shoulders before Argentina’s captain received the trophy from Infantino. FIFA held discussions with Trump at Trump Tower on Friday afternoon, a meeting that necessitated road closures and caused disruption on Fifth Avenue.

The New York Knicks’ historic NBA championship win over the San Antonio Spurs initially overshadowed the start of the World Cup tournament last month, but the event has since gained considerable momentum.

Source: theguardian.com