EAST RUTHERFORD, United States (AFP) — Argentina and Spain fine-tuned preparations for Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey as a persistent, choking smog blanketed the eastern United States.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina are striving to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are trying to win a second title after their maiden victory in 2010.

US President Donald Trump will be among a crowd of more than 80,000 spectators at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford — the first game he has attended.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would also attend, after an invitation from the American president.

On Friday Trump hailed the World Cup — held in Canada, Mexico and the United States — as “the most successful sporting event, maybe in the history of the world”, as he held a reception in New York with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Infantino also reached for hyperbole, saying the event had “exceeded all expectations”.

“The American dream, Mr President, came to reality,” he proclaimed. “We united the world.

“This has not just been and is not just the greatest World Cup of all times,” Infantino said. “It is the greatest human, social, and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed.

“FIFA is the official happiness provider to humanity,” he added, to which Trump responded: “Unless your team loses.”

Wildfires burning in Canada have sent heavy, acrid smoke billowing across the border, with residents in New York, Washington, and the US Midwest urged to stay indoors due to dangerously poor air quality.

At one point on Saturday the smoke made New York City the most polluted city in the world, followed closely by Toronto and Washington, according to air tracker IQAir.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi (centre) exercises during a training session on the eve of the FIFA World Cup final against Spain, in Morristown, New Jersey, on Saturday. (Photo: AFP)

The New York/New Jersey Stadium is in New Jersey, just across the river from New York where the city skyline early Saturday was obscured by dense smoke and people wore masks outdoors.

Some respite was expected to come in the form of heavy storms, which could wash some of the smoke away but also trigger flash floods and dangerous winds.

Sunday’s showpiece is likely to be the final World Cup curtain call for Argentina’s Lionel Messi, widely considered the greatest player of all time.

The Inter Miami forward is top of the Golden Boot standings on eight goals — level with Kylian Mbappe who could face England in Miami later Saturday.

Argentina Coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing Messi lead out his team at the age of 39.

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

The New York/New Jersey Stadium is pictured two days ahead of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford on Friday. (Photo: AFP)

The battle-hardened, three-time champions have shown an astonishing, never-say-die attitude during the 2026 tournament, including in their dramatic late comeback against England in the semi-finals.

Spain, on the other hand, have been almost flawless, conceding just a single goal in their seven matches so far and sweeping past France in the semi-finals.

Spain Captain Rodri said he was bracing for a “physical” battle with Argentina and would aim to ignore any possible “provocations”.

“It will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared,” he said, “but I believe that if we are known for something in this national team it is that we know how to play different games based on the moment.”

A galaxy of A-list stars will be performing at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, from Tom Cruise in the pre-game closing ceremony to Madonna and Shakira in the half-time show — the first in World Cup history.