World Cup Monitor — 22:11 UTC: New York issues air quality alert days before Spain v Argentina final

Officials in New York and New Jersey have issued an air-quality health alert caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires, just days before the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c9w0jen8x90o). The haze has prompted authorities to urge residents to limit outdoor exertion and stay indoors where possible. The final, between Spain and Argentina, is scheduled for Sunday 19 July (20:00 BST) at the open-air stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c9w0jen8x90o). Conditions deteriorated just before Spain landed in New Jersey on Wednesday night, a day after their semi-final win over France in Texas. Spain trained outdoors on Thursday and looked unaffected, while Argentina — who stayed in Georgia after beating England — are due to begin training in New Jersey on Friday afternoon (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c9w0jen8x90o). A separate NWSL match between Gotham FC and Washington Spirit went ahead under the orange haze at Citi Field on Wednesday, with players mandated two breaks per half; Trinity Rodman said afterwards the air was "rough" and, in her view, they should not have played. At this stage there is no suggestion the final — expected to draw more than 80,000 spectators with a star-studded half-time show — will be affected (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c9w0jen8x90o). Air quality is forecast to improve on Friday, and rain on Saturday is expected to help disperse the remaining smoke.