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Mikel Merino can smell and see the smoke from wildfires in Canada, which are causing hazy conditions in large parts of the United States, including northern New Jersey, where he and Spain are scheduled to face Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Merino is trying not to focus on it.
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It remains unclear how much, if at all, the smoke will affect the final. The World Health Organization forecast predicts an improvement to "moderate" air quality in East Rutherford.
"In the environment you can smell the sensation and see that there is smoke," said Merino. "But for a game as important as a World Cup final, you have to try to disconnect from external factors, convinced that both the (Spanish) federation and the organization will take care of every detail."
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Spain trained outdoors on Thursday in hazardous conditions in East Hanover, New Jersey, which alarmed experts who felt the team should have held the session indoors. There was no response to messages sent to FIFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation asking whether this was considered or if it was possible.
Air quality improved on Friday, but uncertainty remains regarding what will happen after what could be up to 1.25 inches (3.17 centimeters) of rain expected to fall on Saturday.
"After that, it looks like there's another mass of smoky air coming behind that system, but right now it's not clear how much or how it might reach New York or New Jersey, specifically when it comes to Sunday," explained Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. "If the fire intensity really picks up again during (Saturday), it's possible it could release more smoke into the atmosphere and then quickly follow that rain event."
Wildfire smoke—which is burning more of North America as the Earth warms—attacks almost every system in the body and kills tens of thousands of people a year, numerous medical studies show.
It attacks the body immediately, spiking asthma cases and increasing ambulance runs in a matter of hours. The smoke can trigger inflammation in different parts of the body, often attacking a person's weakest points, which can then lead to different effects from an immune system trying to fight a harmful irritant, doctors and scientists point out.
Parrington indicated that, as a general rule, the advice is to try to minimize outdoor activity and exercise when the air is filled with pollutants.
"There are the obvious ones, like respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, vulnerable people with asthma, and things like that. So, they are undoubtedly going to feel the effects," Parrington said.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with FIFA President Gianni Infantino later on Friday. Administration members, including Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Working Group, have been discussing the matter with the football governing body and monitoring the wildfire situation, according to a White House official. The person was granted anonymity to confirm internal discussions.
Approximately 80,000 fans are expected to attend the final, which is being played at the open-air Meadowlands stadium, home of the NFL's New York Giants and Jets.
[Publicidad]