New York faces smoke, travel concerns ahead of Wor...

By Priya Nair — 18 July 2026 — 3 min read

Air quality concerns in New York

The World Cup final in New York New Jersey Stadium, also known as MetLife Stadium, on Sunday is facing challenges due to thick smoke from Canadian wildfires. This smoke has affected New York and other parts of the eastern seaboard, leading to air quality alerts. On Thursday, the air quality advisory 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 stay indoors and avoid strenuous activities. The smoke was so dense that the Statue of Liberty was temporarily obscured, and numerous flights from Newark Airport in New Jersey were canceled. Conditions began to improve by Friday, with forecasts of rain on Saturday raising hopes for clearer skies by Sunday.

New York City skyline silhouetted in haze from Canadian wildfire smoke with a faint sun visible — Smoke from wildfires in Canada has engulfed New York City before the World Cup final in nearby East Rutherford on Sunday.Photograph: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images Credit: theguardian.com

The poor air quality has already impacted sports events. A National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) match between Gotham and Washington Spirit in Queens on Wednesday was played in a hazy environment. Players were required to take two additional breaks during each half, following the NWSL’s poor air policy. FIFA officials are monitoring the situation closely, with a representative from the National Weather Service stationed at FIFA headquarters.

Forecasters indicate that winds over the Great Lakes could push more smoke into the northeastern US, maintaining hazy conditions. However, some improvement is anticipated for the region. The primary concern for the final is whether more smoke will drift south after weekend storm systems. As of Friday, FIFA confirmed that the negative air quality did not currently pose a threat to the final.

Travel and stadium accessibility

Beyond the weather, significant concerns remain regarding travel to the MetLife Stadium. The stadium is known for its limited public transport options and the difficulties associated with navigating the Lincoln Tunnel, which connects Manhattan to New Jersey. Parking on Sunday will be restricted to guests and VIPs.

The cost of bus and rail travel has increased for the tournament. Although a joint intervention from the governments of New York and New Jersey provided a subsidy, the initial matchday return price of $150 for New Jersey transit trains was reduced to $98. This price is still considered high for a journey that typically takes about 20 minutes. Shuttle buses from Manhattan will be available for $20 for those seeking alternative transportation.

A view of the New York/New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup — Every World Cup game at the New York New Jersey Stadium has been sold out.Photograph: Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images Credit: theguardian.com

Despite these challenges, New York has shown strong support for the World Cup. All seven previous games at MetLife Stadium have been sold out. Restaurant and bar bookings for the semi-final match between England and Argentina were also difficult to secure, indicating high local engagement.

Presidential presence and FIFA’s preparations

Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend the final, with his helicopter, Marine One, scheduled to fly over the stadium before landing at nearby Teterboro Airport. FIFA is managing his presence, especially after 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 surprised.

To address potential issues, FIFA has confirmed that Trump will present the trophy alongside Gianni Infantino. This follows a precedent set four years ago when Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, presented a traditional Arab cloak to Lionel Messi before he collected the trophy. FIFA held discussions with the former President at Trump Tower on Friday afternoon, a meeting that caused road closures and traffic disruption on Fifth Avenue.

The World Cup final is expected to draw a global television audience of 1.6 billion viewers.