Argentina overcomes weather obstacles to reach 2026 World Cup final

The Argentina national team arrived in New Jersey after facing nearly two hours of delays due to a storm in Atlanta and smoke from Canadian wildfires. The team, coming off a 2-1 quarterfinal win over England (2026-07-15), remains unbeaten with five consecutive victories (5W-0D-0L).

What happened during the trip?

Argentina's flight, operated by a National Airlines Airbus A330-300, was disrupted by adverse weather. First, an electrical storm in Atlanta delayed takeoff, followed by smoke from Ontario wildfires reducing visibility in New York. The team waited at The Whitley Hotel before continuing their journey.

Why does this matter for Argentina?

The delay did not impact preparations, as the team is now at the Hilton Short Hills in Millburn, less than 30 minutes from MetLife Stadium, where they will face Spain in Sunday’s final (2026-07-19). The hotel hosted them during the 2024 Copa América.

What’s next for Argentina?

Before the delay, the team trained at Atlanta United’s facility, with players from the England match focusing on recovery while others did intense drills. Meanwhile, smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed MetLife Stadium, but officials say conditions will improve by matchday.