The Philadelphia Eagles are set to face the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil next Friday for the first-ever NFL game in South America. However, that plan is now uncertain as wildfires have severely impacted the area, causing dangerously poor air quality. Over 30 nearby cities are battling the fires, and there is speculation that the NFL may have to cancel the game to ensure everyone’s safety. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva suggested that the fires were likely started by criminals and have spiraled out of control due to severe drought conditions in the region. According to Brasilia’s Environmental Institute, the air quality has deteriorated to such unhealthy levels that moving the game back to the United States is a real possibility. Since the Eagles were scheduled to be the home team, relocating the game to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia would be a logical alternative if the original plan falls through.
Local authorities and NFL officials are closely monitoring the situation, and both teams are expected to weigh in on the matter in the coming days. As of now, the game remains scheduled for Friday, Sept. 6, with kickoff at 8:20 p.m. EDT.