safety
Will smoke smother out the World Cup final? Here’s the forecast
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 17, 2026
· 2 min read
By Brandon Miller, Lead Meteorologist
(CNN) — Dense smoke is suffocating much of the Northeast on Friday, and with air quality alerts warning against outside activity, the question looming is just as thick as the smoke itself: Will the air pollution be a problem for the World Cup final on Sunda...
Key takeaway That should set the stage for pleasant conditions on Sunday afternoon for the match between Argentina and Spain, with temperatures in the low 80’s.
Why this matters in The El Paso
While the World Cup final in New York City is not a local event, El Paso residents watching from home may be interested to know that similar air quality concerns have been a issue in the city's own history. In recent years, El Paso has experienced poor air quality due to wildfires in the region, prompting officials to issue warnings and advisories for outdoor activities. The impact of smoke and air pollution on public health and safety is a concern that transcends geographical boundaries, and El Pasoans may be watching the situation in New York City with a sense of familiarity. As the city looks to the future, it may be worth considering how El Paso's own experiences with air quality can inform strategies for mitigating the effects of smoke and pollution on public health, particularly in the context of large outdoor events.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Brandon Miller, Lead Meteorologist
(CNN) — Dense smoke is suffocating much of the Northeast on Friday, and with air quality alerts warning against outside activity, the question looming is just as thick as the smoke itself: Will the air pollution be a problem for the World Cup final on Sunda...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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