England could face the prospect of seeing some of their World Cup matches delayed by hours, with FIFA unlikely to abandon games affected by extreme weather. Participating countries are bracing themselves for delays due to the threat of thunderstorms at host cities across the United States.
FIFA's Approach to Weather Delays
Daily Mail Sport understands that FIFA will handle each situation on a case-by-case basis. However, insiders have disclosed that due to time constraints and the need to maintain competition integrity, it is highly unlikely that matches will be abandoned and replayed at a later date.
This means that England, who have late afternoon starts scheduled in Boston and New York, could spend significant periods waiting for storms to clear. Their opening fixture against Croatia is set to be played under a closed roof in Dallas, providing some protection from the elements.
Precedent Set at Club World Cup
While FIFA declined to comment, a precedent of sorts was established at the Club World Cup last year. Chelsea, who went on to win the US-based tournament, had their match with Benfica in Charlotte delayed for nearly two hours due to a lightning strike in the area, even though only five minutes remained in the game.
That incident led then-manager Enzo Maresca to claim that the US was not fit to host the competition. After returning to the field, Benfica scored a late equalizer from a controversial penalty, with Chelsea eventually prevailing 4-1 after extra time, four hours and 38 minutes after kick-off.
England's Preparations
England have been bracing for storms during their two friendly matches in Florida, but the long-term forecast has shown a marked improvement. Nevertheless, the possibility of weather-related delays remains a concern for the team and fans alike.
