Massive wildfires are forcing sports organizers in the United States to reschedule events. Dangerous air quality has already led to postponed matches and canceled activities, raising concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, reports the website infohub.kz.

For instance, an MLB game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies was moved up by an hour, while an MLS match between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Chicago Fire in Chicago was postponed until October, along with a scheduled concert.

Thick smoke has blanketed the Great Lakes region and the East Coast, reducing visibility and pushing air pollution to hazardous levels. Authorities in several cities have urged residents to stay indoors or wear protective masks. The National Weather Service attributed the situation to a persistent high-pressure system trapping smoke near the surface.

Soccer and baseball players have also complained about the harsh conditions. Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper acknowledged that playing in such air quality is unsafe, but the game went ahead as scheduled. A similar situation occurred in Philadelphia in 2023, when an MLB game was postponed due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Problems have also arisen in women's soccer. USWNT player Trinity Rodman said after an NWSL match that the air quality was so poor that, in her opinion, the game should have been canceled. She noted that frequent water breaks only underscored how tough the conditions were for the players.

Just days before the 2026 World Cup final, organizers are confronting the same issue: deteriorating air quality from massive wildfires in Canada.

According to British sports journalist Rob Harris, White House officials will meet with FIFA President Gianni Infantino on July 17 to discuss potential health risks for players, fans, and staff due to smoke in the New York and New Jersey area, where the air quality index has ranged from "unhealthy" to "very unhealthy" in recent days. Social media has been flooded with images of MetLife Stadium, the venue for the final, shrouded in a thick haze.

Since the stadium is open-air, holding the match in heavy smoke raises safety concerns for players and spectators. The situation has drawn extra attention because US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the final.

However, sources within FIFA say that moving the final or changing the venue is not currently under consideration. Organizers are counting on predicted rain on Saturday to improve air quality by washing away much of the particulate pollution. Forecasters say conditions could improve noticeably by Sunday.

The smoke has already affected team preparations. Spain's national team held an open training session in smoggy conditions in the New York area, while Argentina's squad, led by Lionel Messi, prepared in Atlanta, where air quality remained significantly better.

The final match between Spain and Argentina is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium. More than 80,000 spectators are expected to attend.