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FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the White House discussed Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey, as the tri-state region continues to deal with poor air quality caused by raging wildfires in Canada, sources confirmed to PK Press Club Digital on Friday.
The discussions were described as informal as they continue to monitor the wildfire situation. The sources added that there were no contingency plans in place to make changes to the game due to the weather.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at the Semafor World Economy 2026 conference in Washington, DC, April 15, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/AFP)
PK Press Club first reported that a possible meeting between Infantino and White House officials would focus on the potential dangers posed.
President Donald Trump is expected to attend the game in New Jersey on Sunday afternoon.
The air quality has already affected some professional matches: an MLS match in Chicago on Thursday was postponed, while an MLB match in Philadelphia was moved up an hour.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final match with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, July 13, 2025. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
IF AIR QUALITY IS POOR, ARGENTINA COULD BE HURT BY SPAIN’S STYLE IN WORLD CUP FINAL, SAYS FOX ANALYST
The Toronto Blue Jays announced earlier Friday that the retractable roof at the Rogers Center would be closed due to air quality concerns.
Spain and Argentina kick off at 3 p.m. at MetLife Stadium. Argentina is aiming to become the first consecutive winners since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the international friendly match between Argentina and Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium on June 9, 2026, in Auburn, Alabama. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
In 2023, the New York Yankees postponed a game, but the air quality index was almost double the 150 to 200 range the region was hit with this week.
