Trump won’t hesitate to postpone World Cup final over Canadian wildfire smoke: U.S. ambassador
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra stated that President Donald Trump may postpone the World Cup final if wildfire smoke creates hazardous air quality in New Jersey. Officials are monitoring conditions as the match between Spain and Argentina approaches.
Why it matters
Environmental factors are increasingly impacting major international sporting events, forcing governments to weigh public health against logistical and economic considerations.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra says if smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to blanket New Jersey ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump will not hesitate to ask the game be postponed.
“If the pollution is so bad that it’s dangerous to the players or it’s dangerous to the fans, the first person to say don’t hold the game will be the President of the United States,” Hoekstra told Global News in an exclusive interview.
Hoekstra said conversations with FIFA were currently taking place about the air quality ahead of the final between Spain and Argentina.
“We’re not going to jeopardize the health and well-being of the players, or from people around the world, by setting a game that is in unsafe conditions,” said Hoekstra.
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