A massive electrical storm over New Jersey forced Spain to cancel their final training session before the World Cup final, leaving Luis de la Fuente's side unable to step onto the pitch on the eve of the biggest match in football.
Spain and defending champions Argentina are set to meet in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday, 19 July at the New York New Jersey Stadium (20:00 BST). The match is a rematch of the 2022 final, which Argentina won on penalties. Both teams arrived in the United States after dramatic semi-final victories — Spain beat France 2-0, while Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1.
“Spain's final training was cancelled by thunderstorms before the World Cup final against Argentina – explained.”
On Saturday, thunderstorms and lightning swept across New York and New Jersey. Spain were scheduled to train at the Melanie Lane training ground in Whippany, New Jersey. The session was initially suspended after lightning was detected within an eight-mile radius, in line with US storm safety protocol. The Spanish federation (RFEF) confirmed the players instead took part in a warm-up indoors. Later, the session was called off entirely, with FIFA stating there were no alternative time slots available. About five miles away in Morristown, Argentina were also delayed by 45 minutes but eventually trained on the rain-soaked turf. New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani had issued a flood advisory, urging residents not to "risk your safety in these dangerous conditions."
This is not the first weather disruption in the region during the tournament. Earlier in the week, an air quality health alert was issued due to haze from Canadian wildfires. The storm highlights the logistical challenges of hosting a global event in a region prone to summer thunderstorms. For Spain, the missed session means they could not practice set pieces or rehearse tactics on the actual training pitch. However, coach Luis de la Fuente had no new injury concerns; teenage star Lamine Yamal, who took a blow to the thigh against France, was declared fit on Friday. Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni had earlier expressed frustration with FIFA’s scheduling, saying they were forced to train at a time they didn't want.
Why this matters for UK readers
The World Cup final is one of the most-watched sporting events in the UK. BBC Sport will broadcast the match live, with coverage starting from 19:00 BST. For fans, the weather disruption adds an extra layer of intrigue — could Spain be at a disadvantage after missing their final training run? The match itself pits two of the world's best teams against each other: Spain’s possession-based style under De la Fuente versus Argentina’s counter-attacking brilliance under Scaloni, who was actually mentored by De la Fuente during his coaching course. The final also carries historical weight — Argentina are looking to become only the third nation to retain the World Cup.
Key questions answered
Q: Why was Spain's training cancelled? The session was suspended and later cancelled because of electrical thunderstorms in New Jersey. US protocol requires all outdoor sporting events to stop if lightning is detected within eight miles, and activity can only resume after 30 minutes without further strikes.
Q: Who are the teams in the World Cup final? Spain, European champions, face Argentina, the defending world champions. Spain beat France 2-0 in the semi-final; Argentina beat England 2-1. The final kicks off at 20:00 BST on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Q: Will there be a halftime show? Yes, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin has curated the halftime show, which has been described as controversial. The performance will take place during the break, though exact details of the lineup have not been confirmed by sources.
What happens next The final will go ahead as scheduled on Sunday evening, weather permitting. Meteorologists will be monitoring conditions closely. If storms persist, the match could be delayed, but FIFA has not announced any contingency plans. After the final, attention will turn to the inevitable post-match analysis — and whether the storm gave either side an edge.