Argentina and Spain are gearing up for a New Jersey battle in the World Cup final in North America on Sunday, as organizers say they are closely monitoring smoke from wildfires in Canada.

Lionel Messi's Argentina aims to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962, while Spain seeks its second title after winning its first at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Organizers noted they are 'closely monitoring' the smoke that has blanketed skies over large areas of the United States.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup task force, said during a media briefing: 'This topic has been addressed, and we have a specialist from the National Weather Service stationed at FIFA headquarters there, so we are closely monitoring the situation.'

US President Donald Trump will be among a crowd exceeding 80,000 spectators as the largest edition of the World Cup in history reaches its conclusion at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

It is the only match in the tournament that Trump will attend.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced she will also attend the final at the invitation of the US president.

On Friday, Trump praised the World Cup, which is also being held in Mexico and Canada, calling it 'perhaps the most successful sporting event in world history,' during his reception of FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York.

- Physical battle -

Spain captain Rodri said he is preparing for a 'physical' battle with Argentina and will try to ignore any potential 'provocations.'

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, explained that he expects the final to be different from any match the European champion has played.

The Manchester City star added to reporters: 'I think Sunday's match will be totally different. It will be more physical, and we must be ready. But I think if there's one thing we excel at in this national team, it's our ability to play different matches according to the circumstances.'

He continued: 'We can adapt to defense, counterattacks, and offense. We are a very complete team, and that's why we are here.'

When asked if he expects Argentina to resort to a 'provocative' style, Rodri replied: 'Well, that’s part of football.'

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to enjoy watching Messi lead his team in another World Cup final at the age of 39.

Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar 2022: 'He has made history. He is a legend.'

England arrived in Miami to face France on Saturday in the third-place match between the semi-final losers.

German Thomas Tuchel, coach of the Three Lions, admitted that the 2-1 loss to Argentina in the semi-final was painful.

Tuchel said in a press conference: 'We have to come to terms with it. It’s our pain, my pain and the players’ pain. We feel the greatest pain. And that’s the wound we carry now.'

He added: 'It’s a very painful defeat, and we have to come to terms with it, first and foremost, not with critics or experts or even family members who suffer with us and want the best for us, but fundamentally ourselves.'

For his part, France coach Didier Deschamps vowed not to shed tears as he prepares for his last World Cup match with Les Bleus.

Deschamps said Friday: 'I know the curtain will fall tomorrow. No one will cry here, but I know I will miss the French team. Over 15 years (he took charge in 2012), I had the privilege of experiencing moments that were magical and others that were difficult.'

The star-studded French team, the top favorite to win its third title, fell 2-0 to Spain in the semi-final.