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Spain and Argentina World Cup final training plans rocked by electrical thunderstorms
Jul 18 2026 20:48 · By Ryan Taylor · 13 Reads
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Spain were forced to cancel their final training session before the World Cup final.
La Roja were due to train at New York Red Bull's former base, Melanie Lane in Whippany on Saturday morning but the session was initially delayed due to electrical thunderstorms in New Jersey.
Reluctantly, the Royal Spanish
Football
Federation then decided to cancel training altogether due to lightning in the area. It's understood Spain's players were set to partake in an extended gym session inside instead.
Boss Luis de la Fuente does not have any injury issues to worry about after confirming on Friday that Lamine Yamal will be fit to feature.
Yamal has been suffering with a thigh issue after taking a blow that won Spain a penalty in their 2-0 semi-final triumph over France on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Argentina's training plans were also disrupted. The reigning champions were initially due to take to the field at the Red Bulls Performance Center in Morristown, New Jersey at 11:30am local time but the session was also delayed due to lightning strikes.
The AFA then rescheduled the session for 12:15pm local. The players did eventually emerge on the rain-soaked turf.
Lionel Scaloni had already revealed that he was frustrated with the time FIFA had instructed Argentina to train on Friday, explaining: "Today they forced us to train at a time we didn't want, but with the conference and everything, we had to do a strange, quick training session, and we could hardly try anything out."
Spain head coach De la Fuente is relishing the challenge against an opponent that he respects greatly: "Just being in a final is a privilege. I'm not one for cliches. The important thing is to be there. I'd sign up to lose a World Cup final every year.
"That's how important it is. And on top of that, having the chance to fight for the win. You have to enjoy it. Against an opponent who has been outstanding ever since Scaloni took over."
Scaloni was actually mentored by his opposite number during his FIFA Pro License Coaching course.
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