Less than a day before the World Cup final, an unexpected element is capturing the focus of organizers, fans, and players.

The hazy conditions have disrupted daily life and raised health concerns across major cities.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires that ignited earlier this week has blanketed the northeastern US, sparking concerns over its effect on Sunday's Spain vs Argentina final in New Jersey.

A visible haze hung over the twin World Cup host states of New York and New Jersey on Saturday, with inclement weather causing disruptions.

On Friday, New York was briefly ranked the world's most polluted city.

The World Cup final between the European champions and current title holders kicks off at 3pm local time (19:00 GMT) on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Click here for all we know about the smoke, weather and World Cup final.

This environmental variable adds an unprecedented challenge to the tournament's climactic match. Officials are monitoring air quality levels closely, with contingency plans possibly in place. The situation underscores how climate events can intersect with major global sporting events.