Spain’s final training session cancelled before World Cup final due to thunderstorms

By Ananya Iyer — 18 July 2026 — 3 min read

Weather Disrupts Preparations

The final training session for Spain ahead of the World Cup final was cancelled on Saturday. Heavy thunderstorms impacted New York and New Jersey, leading to the disruption. Luis de la Fuente’s squad was scheduled to train at the Melanie Lane training ground in New Jersey. The session was initially suspended before ultimately being called off entirely.

Approximately five miles away in Morristown, their opponents, Argentina, experienced a 45-minute delay but were eventually able to conduct their training session. Both teams are set to compete in Sunday’s final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani issued a flood advisory for the city on Saturday, cautioning residents against risking their safety in the prevailing dangerous conditions. The Spanish federation (RFEF) released a statement confirming the suspension of the training session at the Melanie Lane Training Ground in New Jersey, citing compliance with US storm safety protocols. The statement also noted that the players were conducting a warm-up session indoors.

US protocol mandates that any outdoor sporting event must be suspended if lightning or electrical activity is detected within an eight-mile radius of the venue. Such events can only resume after a minimum of 30 minutes without any further lightning strikes. Fifa, the global governing body for football and the organisers of the World Cup, confirmed that no alternative time slots would be made available for European champions Spain to train on Saturday.

Impact on Teams and Tournament

The timing of the cancellation was particularly challenging for manager de la Fuente, who had previously emphasised the importance of this specific training session. Several key players, including Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro, are managing minor injuries sustained during their semi-final victory against France. De la Fuente had spoken on Friday about the significance of the final 24 hours before the match, stating, “Tomorrow we have the last training session. It’s one of the most critical moments, thinking that there can’t be any delays because you won’t make the game if there were some sort of adverse circumstance – hopefully not. But they’re all good.”

Across the tactical divide, Argentina also faced disruptions. Lionel Scaloni’s team was scheduled to begin their final session at the home of the New York Red Bulls, located close to the Spanish camp. The Albiceleste were also affected by the storms sweeping through the region, though they maintained hope of starting their session once the weather improved. The Argentines, led by Lionel Messi, are aiming to become only the third nation in history to successfully defend a World Cup title. For Scaloni, any interruption to his squad’s rhythm is unwelcome, especially given the high-intensity pressing game anticipated from the Spanish midfield.

Earlier in the week, officials in New York and New Jersey had issued an air quality health alert due to haze covering the city, which was attributed to wildfires in Canada. These weather-related issues have added an unexpected layer of logistical complexity to the final preparations for the tournament’s climax.

The Road to the Final

Spain secured their place in the final by defeating France 2-0 on Tuesday. Argentina advanced after staging a late comeback to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday. Sunday’s final marks Argentina’s third World Cup showpiece in the last 12 years, as they pursue a fourth title in their history and a second in succession. Spain, in contrast, will be aiming to lift only their second World Cup crown.

The match at MetLife Stadium is set to be a significant event for both nations, promising a fitting conclusion to a World Cup that has already featured considerable drama both on and off the pitch. The final will see two of international football’s most storied nations compete for the ultimate prize.

Source: bbc.com