FIFA: No plans to move World Cup final despite wildfire smoke
FIFA has no plans to move Sunday’s World Cup final, even as dangerous smoke from Canadian wildfires leaves a haze over New York City, reports claim.
Spain is due to face Argentina in a blockbuster final at MetLife Stadium and there have been warnings that the combination of heat and ‘terrible’ air quality constitutes a ‘very dangerous and powerful one-two punch to the human body.’
On Thursday, the air quality in New Jersey, site of the stadium, was rated ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ by several air-quality measurement platforms.
According to Bloomberg, FIFA and Andrew Giuliani – who heads of the White House’s World Cup Task Force – have been involved in discussions about the wildfires.
But no formal meeting is slated over possibly moving the final, which kicks off at 3pm local time at the 80,000-seater open-air stadium. Another 50,000 fans are expected to watch the game from Central Park.
Earlier this week, some soccer fans were being advised to sell their tickets for the game, while World Cup chiefs faced calls to introduce more hydration breaks on Sunday to keep players safe.
Tagged: Sports BACK TO HOMEPAGE