Heavy thunderstorms swept through New Jersey on Saturday, forcing Spain to cancel their final training session before Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina — a disruption that leaves Luis de la Fuente's side without a full run-out on the eve of the biggest match of the football calendar.
The Spanish federation (RFEF) said in a statement that the session at the Melanie Lane training ground in New Jersey was suspended in accordance with US storm safety protocol, which demands any outdoor sporting event stop if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius. Events can only resume after 30 lightning-free minutes. The players instead took part in a warm-up indoors, but the session was later called off entirely.
“Spain's pre-final training cancelled due to thunderstorms in New Jersey, while Argentina trained after delay.”
About five miles away in Morristown, opponents Argentina were able to train after a 45-minute delay, giving the defending champions a dress rehearsal that Spain were denied. New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani had earlier warned residents not to "risk your safety in these dangerous conditions" as the city was under a flood advisory. The region has also been battling an air quality health alert this week due to haze from wildfires in Canada.
Fifa, football's world governing body, said there would be no alternative time slots for Spain to train on Saturday. The European champions booked their place in the final by beating France 2-0 on Tuesday, while Argentina staged a late comeback to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday.
Spain and Argentina will meet at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday at 20:00 BST, with Argentina aiming to become only the third nation to retain the World Cup. Whether the lost training session will unsettle Spain's preparations remains to be seen — but the storm has already left its mark on the eve of the final.