Just one day before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, both Spain and Argentina saw their preparations disrupted by severe weather after thunderstorms sweeping across northern New Jersey forced changes to their final scheduled training sessions.The two finalists are due to meet on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium, but instead of completing their final tactical work on the pitch, both camps found themselves dealing with delays caused by lightning, torrential rain and strict FIFA safety protocols.
Spain forced to cancel session after delays
Spain were the worst affected. Luis de la Fuente’s side arrived on schedule for their final session at the former New York Red Bulls training base on Melanie Lane in Whippany, with training originally set to begin at 11 a.m. local time. However, a FIFA official informed reporters that training could not commence unless there had been at least 30 consecutive minutes without lightning within an eight-mile radius of the facility, as required under tournament protocol.With storms continuing to pass through the area and no safe window emerging, Spain waited for around 40 minutes before abandoning the outdoor session altogether.Reporter Guillem Balague, who was at the training base, shared footage showing torrential rain and flooded roads around the facility as thunderstorms swept across New Jersey.Rather than continue waiting inside the dressing rooms, De la Fuente and his coaching staff opted to cancel the outdoor session completely, with the squad instead carrying out an extended gym workout indoors.
De la Fuente had stressed importance of final session
The cancellation came just 24 hours after the Spain manager described the final training session as one of the most important of the tournament, particularly with Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro managing minor knocks following the semifinal victory over France.“Tomorrow we have the last training session. It’s one of the most critical moments, thinking that there can’t be any delays because you won’t make the game if there were some sort of adverse circumstance – hopefully not,” De la Fuente had said on Friday before adding reassuringly: “But they’re all good.”
Argentina train despite difficult conditions
Argentina’s preparations were also interrupted by the same weather system.Lionel Scaloni’s squad, scheduled to train around five miles away at the Red Bulls Performance Center in Morristown, initially delayed their session after lightning strikes were detected in the area. Their practice was pushed back by roughly 45 minutes before the defending champions eventually emerged onto the rain-soaked pitch to complete training despite the difficult conditions.
Wildfire smoke concerns and improving air quality
The thunderstorms marked the latest weather-related challenge to affect the tournament. Throughout the week, concerns had centred on Canadian wildfire smoke drifting across the northeastern United States, prompting New York City emergency officials to issue a Code Red air quality alert between Tuesday and Thursday. Residents were advised to remain indoors where possible and avoid strenuous outdoor activity as smoke spread across much of the region.Saturday’s storm, however, is expected to bring one important benefit.Meteorologists believe the rainfall will help clear much of the lingering haze before Sunday’s final. The Air Quality Index, which reached approximately 160 on Saturday and was classified as “unhealthy”, is forecast to improve to around 100, a “moderate” level, by kickoff.
Conditions expected to improve for final
While the disrupted preparations were far from ideal for either finalist, organisers remain confident that weather conditions will improve in time for Sunday, allowing Spain and Argentina to contest the World Cup final under significantly healthier conditions than had been feared earlier in the week.
