Spain cancel final World Cup tuneup; Argentina practice after weather delay
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Members of the media leaving the Melanie Lane Training Grounds on July 18, as Spain’s training is cancelled due to the weather.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Spain’s final World Cup training session before the final was cancelled due to thunderstorms in New Jersey.
- FIFA confirmed there will be no rescheduled training time for Spain before the July 19 final against Argentina.
- The Spanish team held an indoor warm-up instead, while it is unclear if Argentina’s session was affected.
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EAST HANOVER, New Jersey - Spain were forced to cancel their final training session on July 18 ahead of the World Cup final due to thunderstorms in New Jersey.
The weather system also affected Spain’s opponent, Argentina, although the latter held practice after a delay of roughly 45 minutes.
The two nations will battle for the title on July 19 at East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Under tournament protocol, training must be postponed if lightning is detected within an eight-mile (12.8km) radius.
Lightning is typically checked every 30 minutes until it is safe to resume activity.
The protocol has delayed several matches throughout the tournament, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
With a steady rain throughout the morning and into the early afternoon, Spain waited out the storm for around 40 minutes before opting to cancel.
Though the inclement weather affected the final practices, the rain was expected to clear the haze in the area caused by the Canadian wildfires.
That should make for better conditions for the 3pm final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
The Air Quality Index, which was at 160 on July 18 and considered to be an “unhealthy” level, also is predicted to drop to 100 - a “moderate” level - by July 19. REUTERS
