Home / Weather / Wildfire Smoke Chokes US, FIFA Final Air Quality Improving
Wildfire Smoke Chokes US, FIFA Final Air Quality Improving
19 Jul
Summary
- Air quality improving for FIFA World Cup 2026 final in New Jersey.
- Canadian wildfire smoke caused hazy skies and unhealthy air across US.
- US President Trump threatened tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke.
Canadian wildfire smoke created widespread hazy skies and unhealthy air quality across large areas of Canada and the U.S. as of Saturday, July 19, 2026. Conditions were expected to improve by Sunday, July 20, 2026, in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Lingering smoke pushed out by northwesterly winds is forecast to clear the region.
Air quality in New York City was previously deemed "unhealthy for sensitive groups." Officials in affected northeastern states distributed masks and opened public buildings as cooling centers. While some outdoor programming was canceled, air quality measures improved to "moderate" by Friday afternoon, with clear skies returning.
FIFA confirmed that current air quality conditions do not represent a threat to the World Cup final. Experts suggest it would require an extreme weather event to cancel the match, as players are accustomed to challenging conditions. Spain's training session was moved indoors on Saturday due to storms and lightning.
Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed ire over the smoke, threatening increased tariffs on Canada for alleged inaction in forest management. He intended to discuss the situation with Prime Minister Mark Carney, with both leaders potentially meeting at the World Cup final.
