Extreme flash flooding paralyses New York and New Jersey on eve of World Cup final

Just 24 hours before Spain and Argentina are set to clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, extreme flash flooding and severe thunderstorms have brought New York City and surrounding areas to a near standstill.

The National Weather Service issued warnings of severe thunderstorms and potential flash flooding across the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas on Saturday. In some areas, up to three inches (approximately 76 mm) of rain fell within a single hour. Forecasters also warned of a tornado risk in parts of New Jersey, with wind gusts potentially exceeding 65 miles per hour (about 105 km/h).

Chaos on Roads and Public Transit

Social media footage and local reports showed cars crawling through deep floodwaters across the city. In Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, partially submerged vehicles were seen as pedestrians waded through shin-deep water. Sections of the Long Island and Clearview expressways in Queens were closed after being overwhelmed by floodwater, with police rescuing motorists trapped in their vehicles.

The city’s subway system also suffered extensive damage, with videos circulating online showing water cascading into stations like a “water curtain cave”. Manhole covers were seen “erupting” under pressure, while even fire trucks were submerged in badly hit areas like Queens and Brooklyn.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to stay off the roads. City officials warned those in low-lying areas to evacuate to higher ground immediately. “Don’t risk your safety in these dangerous conditions,” Mamdani said.

Travel Disruptions Impact Both Teams

The extreme weather has directly disrupted preparations for the final. Spain was forced to cancel its final outdoor training session, which had been scheduled at the Melanie Lane Training Ground in New Jersey. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced that the session was suspended in accordance with U.S. storm safety protocols, with players instead completing activation exercises indoors.

Argentina also felt the impact, with their practice session in Morristown, New Jersey, delayed by 45 minutes due to the storms. However, Lionel Scaloni’s squad was eventually able to complete some of their work on the outdoor grass.

Air travel has also been severely disrupted, with multiple flights at New York-area airports delayed or grounded due to the severe weather. A flood watch covering eastern Bergen County—where MetLife Stadium is located—remained in effect until 2 a.m. Sunday.

Final Match Under Scrutiny

While forecasts for Sunday’s final predict significantly improved conditions with sunny skies and a maximum temperature of around 29°C (84°F)，FIFA remains on high alert. Under FIFA’s severe weather protocol, the match must be temporarily suspended if lightning strikes within an eight-mile radius of the stadium. Play can only resume after 30 minutes have passed with no further electrical discharge.

Compounding the weather chaos, thick smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires has also blanketed the U.S. East Coast, with New York City briefly ranking as the world’s most polluted city on Saturday.

The final—a showdown between defending champion Argentina and Spain—is set to kick off at 3 p.m. local time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, bringing the 39-day tournament to a close.