Ahead of Sunday's highly anticipated World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, air quality across the New York and New Jersey regions has severely deteriorated. The thick smog, which has blanketed the area and turned the sky gray, is caused by drifting smoke from ongoing wildfires in neighboring Canada. According to local media, the current Air Quality Index (AQI) ranges between 151 and 200, which is significantly higher than the standard safe level of 0 to 50 normally registered by environmental agencies.

Air pollution expert Michael Petroni stated in an interview with the New York Post that breathing this contaminated air for a single day is roughly equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes. He explained that microscopic particulate matter enters the bloodstream directly, damaging the immune system and increasing long-term risks of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Consequently, public health officials are strongly advising residents and visiting football fans to limit outdoor exposure and avoid strenuous physical activities until conditions improve.