Spain’s final training session before the World Cup final was canceled after heavy thunderstorms hit New York and New Jersey on Saturday.

Luis de la Fuente’s side was scheduled to train at the Melanie Lane training ground in New Jersey. However, after the session was initially suspended, it was later called off.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, about five miles away in Morristown, Spain’s opponents Argentina managed to hold their training after a 45-minute delay.

The final matchup between Spain and defending champions Argentina will take place on Sunday at 20:00 BST at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

On Saturday, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced that the city was under a flood advisory and urged residents not to “risk your safety in these dangerous conditions.”

“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,” stated the Spanish federation (RFEF).

Advertisement

The players are currently participating in a warm-up session indoors.

According to US safety protocols, any outdoor sporting event must be suspended if lightning or electrical activity is detected within an eight-mile radius of the venue. Events can only resume after a minimum of 30 minutes without further lightning strikes.

FIFA, football’s world governing body and organizers of the World Cup, confirmed that there would be no alternative time slots for European champions Spain to train on Saturday.

Earlier this week, officials in New York and New Jersey issued an air quality health alert due to haze affecting the city, which has been attributed to wildfires in Canada.

Advertisement

Spain secured their place in the final by defeating France 2-0 on Tuesday, while Argentina completed a dramatic comeback to triumph over England 2-1 on Wednesday.