See more of our coverage in your search results.
Mother Nature may have delivered one final assist before the biggest match in soccer.
After days of wildfire smoke from Canada cast a gray haze over northern New Jersey, Saturday’s steady rain and rolling thunderstorms arrived with a purpose beyond just disrupting Spain’s and Argentina’s training sessions.
The steady downpour likely scrubbed a significant amount of smoke and fine particulate matter from the atmosphere, hopefully setting the stage for a favorable forecast during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
Earlier in the week, Spain trained under skies so smoky that players admitted they could both see and smell the haze, with breathing noticeably more difficult.
Argentina arrived Friday with improved, though still slightly smoky conditions.
Both teams had their preparations interrupted Saturday by lightning and heavy rain.
Every match of the FIFA World Cup will air on either FOX or FOX Sports 1. If you don’t have cable, you can take advantage of a DIRECTV free trial to stream it all.
Prefer to check out the action live and in person? Shop World Cup 2026 tickets on SeatGeek and make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout if you’re a first-time SeatGeek user.
Forecasters now expect sunshine, temperatures in the mid-80s and lower humidity by the 3 p.m. Eastern kickoff, with no significant weather delays anticipated.
Air quality is also expected to improve, although officials continue to monitor lingering wildfire smoke that could drift back into the region depending on ever-changing wind patterns.
World Cup Merch shop
USMNT Icon Red T-Shirt
Built for match days and everyday wear, this officially licensed USMNT tee brings classic national pride wherever you go.
Christian Pulisic Navy USMNT T-Shirt
Rep your favorite player in classic navy with this officially licensed tee made for diehard fans and big match energy.
USA Soccer Front/Back Crest Pullover Hoodie
Stay warm while repping the red, white, and blue in this officially licensed USMNT pullover hoodie featuring bold front and back crest graphics.
FIFA World Cup ’26 Host Country Flags T-Shirt
Celebrate the global game in style with this FIFA World Cup 26 tee featuring all three host countries’ logos and flags.
2026 Panini FIFA World Cup Sticker Box (25 Sticker Packs)
Rip into the excitement of World Cup season with this 2026 Panini sticker box packed with 25 packs of collectible stickers for fans and traders.
adidas FIFA World Cup ’26 Trionda Host Nation League Soccer Ball
Bring World Cup vibes to every kickaround with the official adidas FIFA World Cup ’26 Soccer Ball built with host nation style and game-ready feel.
This is favorable news for fans and players expected to run more than 7 miles over 90 relentless minutes in the final.
Cleaner air, cooler temperatures and less smoke mean easier breathing, faster recovery, and one fewer obstacle to worry about.
Source: New York Post
