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New York Issue Air Quality Alert Days Before Argentina vs Spain

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FIFA could be forced into making a last-minute alteration to the scheduling of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, after New York and New Jersey issued an air quality health alert just days before the showpiece event, according to BBC Sport.

Spain secured their place in the final by beating France in Dallas on Tuesday, before Argentina booked their spot by knocking England out 24 hours later. La Roja will be bidding to win their second World Cup, while La Albiceleste will be looking to add a fourth star to their shirt.

The final is currently scheduled to kick off at 3pm local time (8pm BST) in New Jersey’s 80,000-seat MetLife Stadium.

While there is currently no indication that this will change, there are valid concerns about the game following this week’s air quality health alert in the area.

New York and New Jersey Issue Air Quality Health Alert Before World Cup Final

The MetLife Stadium will host the 2026 World Cup Final.

In recent days, Canadian wildfires burning across Ontario have impacted cities across northeastern USA. Haze caused by these fires has blanketed the New York region, and conditions have reportedly deteriorated since Wednesday.

Officials in the state have urged residents to remain indoors as much as possible, reducing their exposure to the poor air quality.

“It’s dangerously hot and smoke from Canadian wildfires has worsened our air quality, which means New Yorkers need to be extra vigilant to stay safe,” said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“Prioritize staying cool by seeking air conditioning indoors and limit time outdoors where possible. Stay hydrated, check on your neighbors, and follow the Health Department’s guidance. We’ll get through this the same way we always do: together.”

The smoke-filled air and soaring temperatures can make it difficult to breathe, and carrying out strenuous exercise in these conditions comes with risk.

Spain are understood to have flown into New Jersey on Wednesday night, the day after their semi-final victory over France. Luis de la Fuente’s side trained outdoors on Thursday, seemingly unaffected by the harsh conditions.

As for Argentina, Lionel Scaloni’s men are yet to train in the New Jersey area, only leaving Atlanta on Thursday night.

Footballers in the area who played in this weather on Wednesday, namely National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) sides Gotham FC and Washington Spirit, reported that the conditions were indeed tough, with one player suggesting that the game shouldn’t have taken place. This match also included two breaks per half, to help players deal with the gruelling situation.

A Major League Soccer (MLS) match between Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps, which was supposed to take place on Thursday, was postponed because of poor air quality.

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FIFA May be Forced to Consider Making World Cup Final Change

Gianni Infantino REUTERS/Mandel Ngan

This close to an event of such magnitude, it’s difficult to enact significant logistical changes such as altering the kick-off time, changing the venue or even the date of the match. There was talk of moving England’s Round of 16 game against Mexico to an earlier time, but this ultimately didn’t materialise due to the logistical challenges it would’ve entailed.

However, it’s possible that FIFA are forced to at least consider making a change to protect the safety of players and fans at MetLife.

That said, the air quality in the area is expected to improve on Friday, while rain is forecast on Saturday, which should help disperse some of the congested smoke.

It’s likely any radical changes to the World Cup final won’t be sanctioned until closer to the time, to allow FIFA to make as informed a decision as possible.

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Tottenham Reach Verbal Agreement With Man City to Sign Savinho

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Tottenham Hotspur chiefs have reached a verbal agreement with a club to finalise their seventh summer signing.

Tottenham and ENIC have gone into overdrive with the summer transfer business as they look to avoid being involved in a Premier League relegation battle for a third successive season.

That is already looking like an unlikely possibility with Roberto De Zerbi at the helm for a full season and with the quality of signings they have already made this summer, with Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, Martin Dubravka, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali all joining – the latter two in club-record transfers.

With the defence and midfield transformed from last season, attention now turns to getting players out the door and strengthening De Zerbi’s attack as Spurs look to return to the top six next term.

Luka Vuskovic has already left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a big-money deal to Brighton and Hove Albion, and he is unlikely to be the last with the likes of Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison among those heavily linked with an exit away from the club.

Tottenham could also be closing in on their next summer addition of a window they appear to be winning right now.

Tottenham Reach Verbal Agreement With Man City to Sign Savinho

Manchester City's Savinho
Premier League – Aston Villa v Manchester City – Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain – October 26, 2025 Manchester City’s Savinho reacts REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
via Reuters

Tottenham’s next transfer priority has been to land a new left-winger, with Manchester City star Savinho emerging as their number one target for the position.

Spurs wanted to sign the Brazil international 12 months ago but were unable to find an agreement with City over a deal, but now it appears as though they have reached a breakthrough.

According to a reliable Tottenham source on X, the north Londoners have now reached a verbal agreement with City to sign the 22-year-old.

A separate report has claimed that a deal could be finalised for £65m, as Spurs look to get another big summer deal over the line.

Tottenham Still Targeting Eli Junior Kroupi

AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
AFC Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
via Reuters

There may have been some concerns that once Tottenham decided that Savinho was their top left-wing target, that it reduced their chances of moving for Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi too.

However, it is claimed that even if Spurs do secure a deal for Savinho, they will still target a move for the highly-rated French attacker too following an outstanding breakthrough campaign in the Premier League.

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Will Keane Once Partnered Harry Kane For England But Is Now Unemployed

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While Harry Kane continues to break new ground, proving himself as one of the greatest strikers in world football, the same certainly cannot be said for one of his former England partners. That comes in spite of the fact he was once tipped to be Manchester United’s primary number one and be a regular part of the national team.

Indeed, nobody needs reminding of Kane’s success on the international stage. No one has captained the Three Lions to more major international tournament semi-finals than him, and his goalscoring tally is way beyond that of his predecessors, having managed an incredible 85 goals in 120 caps.

Over the course of that time, though, he’s never found a reliable strike partner. He’s come closest to finally discovering one at this year’s World Cup, with Jude Bellingham netting six times to prove himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. But as for out-and-out number 9s, Kane hasn’t been blessed with right-hand men.

Harry Kane’s Former England Strike Partner Now 32 and Unemployed

Harry Kane celebrates scoring for England
Harry Kane celebrates scoring for England

Having started alongside Kane in an England Under-19s friendly against Switzerland in 2012, Will Keane is spending the next few weeks in a PFA pre-season camp laid on to help unemployed players find new clubs.

His downfall started just days after playing up top with Kane, as he suffered a serious knee injury which sidelined him for 16 months. He told BBC Sport recently:

“I made my senior debut [for United]. We won the Youth Cup. I was doing well for England. Everything was taking off. That first injury was at a crucial time. I had my foot in the door.

“The feeling was I would probably have been around the first team. If the injury had happened a couple of years later, I might have been an established squad player.”

Will Keane Lee Smith via Reuters

Keane grafted his way back to fitness, gained experience out on loan and was once again knocking on the door of the United first team by early 2016. But, by then, another Englishman had already taken his place, slumming the door shut on his chances of getting enough playing time to prove himself.

Keane tore his groin, allowing Marcus Rashford to get a run in the senior side. The Carrington Academy graduate scored four goals in his first two Red Devils’ games, which he admits was like a dagger to the heart. He recalled: “I went to America for an operation, landed in Philadelphia, turned my phone on and saw he scored two more. It was hard to take, but I had to move on.”

The 32-year-old did move on, bouncing around the second and third tiers before finding a safe haven at Wigan Athletic, where he played the best football of his career between 2020 and 2023.

The Stockport-born striker, whose twin brother is Everton defender Michael Keane, also spent part of last season on loan at League One Reading before his Preston contract expired. He is now having “a few chats” with interested clubs and hopes things will “open up” once the season starts.

Keane Always Knew His Compatriot Was Special

England's Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham celebrate England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham celebrate via REUTERS/Paul Childs

The past few weeks have given Keane the perfect opportunity to watch his former partner in crime at the World Cup and reflect on what has made him so successful. He said, as per The Sun: “I remember when we were young, people said he wasn’t mobile, but technically, the time he put into his finishing and his obsessiveness to be the best in terms of shooting, you see it don’t you?

“He’s so sure of himself, because he’s put the work in. He knows he’s a complete striker. He’s obviously got that belief in himself. If he didn’t have certainty in his mind, he wouldn’t be as prolific.”

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Argentina Complain Spain Have Unfair Advantage

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Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has vented his frustrations about his team’s training schedule ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain, implying that they have been put at an unfair disadvantage.

The South American nation secured their spot in football’s showpiece event by beating England in dramatic circumstances on Wednesday evening in Atlanta. Late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez cancelled out Anthony Gordon’s opener, sending the reigning champions to their seventh World Cup final.

Meanwhile, Spain booked their place in the showdown in New Jersey by seeing off France 24 hours before the clash at the Atlanta Stadium. A penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a neat finish from Pedro Porro were enough for La Roja to progress.

Argentina only arrived in the New York area late on Thursday night, and Scaloni feels this is already a significant setback for his side heading into the game at MetLife Stadium.

Lionel Scaloni Complains About Training Schedule Ahead of World Cup Final

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni at the 2026 World Cup REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Spain reportedly flew into New Jersey on Wednesday night, the day after their semi-final victory over France. Argentina’s encounter with England only concluded on Wednesday evening, and they had to wait over 24 hours before landing in the north-east of the United States.

La Albiceleste arrived around 11pm on Thursday night, before FIFA instructed them to train briefly in the sweltering heat on Friday afternoon in New York.

Speaking at his press conference on Friday evening, Scaloni addressed this schedule and how it clearly favours Spain, who were able to train in more favourable conditions and enjoy an additional day’s rest.

“We’re just now resting because we arrived last night around 11pm,” he said. “Today they forced us to train at a time we didn’t want.

“But with the press conference and everything, we had to do a strange, quick training session, and we hardly got to try anything out.

“We are focused on rest, and based on that we will see how they arrive, because there are players who are not at 100%.

“We will evaluate how they are. We play thinking about ourselves, but being mindful of the good things that the opponent has.”

History Shows Spain Have Huge Advantage Over Argentina

Argentina Players vs England REUTERS/Brian Snyder

While fans might feel Scaloni is looking for excuses before the final has even commenced, the Argentina boss might actually have a point.

The Athletic revealed last week that in 13 of the last 14 World Cups and European Championships, the team who played their semi-final first has emerged with the trophy.

Clearly, having an additional rest period and more time to prepare tactically for the opposition gives teams significant advantages in these tournaments. That said, there isn’t really a way around this.

Ultimately, unless the two semi-finals are played at the same time or within a few hours of each other, one team is always going to have an advantage. Being first is the luck of the draw, and it’s unavoidable.

However, Scaloni’s complaints towards FIFA were more concentrated on the scheduling of the press conference and the training session. The football organisation could have allowed Argentina to train in the evening when it was cooler, scheduling the press conference for the afternoon.

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