World Cup final in New Jersey expected to proceed despite regional smoke

Air quality officials said the smoke from Canadian wildfires that has lowered the Air Quality Index to "unhealthy" in the New York-New Jersey region is not likely to affect the World Cup final on Sunday. ESPN reported that the match between Argentina and Spain will go ahead as scheduled at 3 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

The National Weather Service noted that smoke levels should ease on Friday but could rise again Saturday morning, while incoming storms may help clear the air before the game. Health experts have advised residents to stay indoors when possible and to wear N95 or KN95 masks if they must go outside.

Other sporting events have already adjusted to the conditions: the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies moved a Thursday game an hour earlier, and a Major League Soccer match between Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps was postponed and rescheduled for Oct. 6.

Spain, seeking its second World Cup title, will face three-time champion Argentina, which won its most recent tournament in Qatar four years ago.