Heavy thunderstorms across New York and New Jersey resulted in the cancellation of Spain’s last training session ahead of the World Cup final. Luis de la Fuente’s squad had planned to practice at the Melanie Lane facility in New Jersey, but the event was officially scrapped after an initial suspension.
Meanwhile, Argentina managed to conduct their own practice session in nearby Morristown following a 45-minute wait. The final match between Spain and the defending champions, Argentina, is scheduled for Sunday at 20:00 BST at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani issued a flood advisory on Saturday, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary risks. The Spanish football federation confirmed the cancellation, citing adherence to US storm safety protocols, which require a halt to outdoor activities if lightning occurs within eight miles. While the outdoor session was lost, the Spanish players transitioned to indoor warm-ups. FIFA officials stated that no substitute training time would be provided for the European champions.
This disruption follows recent air quality warnings in the region due to Canadian wildfires. Spain reached the final by defeating France, while Argentina secured their spot with a victory over England. Argentina aims to become only the third team in history to successfully defend their World Cup title.
