Storm washes out Spain’s final rehearsal
Spain cancelled their final training session before the World Cup final after heavy thunderstorms struck New York and New Jersey on Saturday. Luis de la Fuente’s side were scheduled to train at the Melanie Lane training ground in New Jersey, but the session was first suspended and then called off under US storm safety rules.
Argentina train after delay
About five miles away in Morristown, Argentina were able to train later in the day following a 45-minute delay. The defending champions will face Spain in Sunday’s final at 20:00 BST at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Safety protocol forces suspension
The Spanish federation (RFEF) said in a statement: “The Spanish national team’s training session on the pitches at the Melanie Lane Training Ground in New Jersey has been suspended in accordance with the US storm safety protocol.” The federation added that the players were taking part in a warm-up session indoors.
US protocol requires any outdoor sporting event to be suspended if lightning or electrical activity is detected within an eight-mile radius of the venue, and play can resume only after 30 minutes without further strikes. Fifa said no alternative time slot would be offered for European champions Spain to train on Saturday.
Flood advisory and air quality alerts
New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said the city was under a flood advisory and urged residents not to “risk your safety in these dangerous conditions”. Earlier in the week, officials in New York and New Jersey issued an air quality health alert because of haze from Canadian wildfires.
Road to the final
Spain reached the final by beating France 2-0 on Tuesday, while Argentina came from behind to defeat England 2-1 on Wednesday. Argentina are looking to become only the third nation to retain the World Cup.