England's pre-World Cup friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando faced a delay due to severe thunderstorms, with kick-off now confirmed for 10pm UK time. The match, originally scheduled for 9pm BST, was postponed after a weather warning at the Inter&Co Stadium prompted fans to take shelter as the pitch became waterlogged.
Storm Causes Disruption
The English FA announced the delay following a weather warning, with the stadium's big screen advising supporters to seek shelter. England's official social media channels confirmed the initial 20-minute postponement, which later extended to a full hour before conditions improved and screens declared it safe to return to seats.
Wednesday evening's fixture serves as England's final warm-up before their World Cup opener against Croatia in seven days. Despite the treacherous weather sweeping across Florida, locals remained confident the match would proceed, citing efficient pitch drainage, though lightning posed a persistent threat.
Weather Concerns for World Cup
Severe weather has been a key topic ahead of the summer tournament. Players will be withdrawn if lightning strikes, potentially causing significant stoppages. Similar disruptions occurred during last year's Club World Cup in the US, with six matches suspended due to electrical storms, including Chelsea's clash with Benfica, which lasted over four and a half hours.
Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca questioned the US as a host for summer tournaments, stating, "If you suspend seven, eight games, that means that probably is not the right place to do this competition." Venues along the Gulf Coast and southeastern US, like Orlando, are particularly prone to thunderstorms, and FIFA will assess each game on a case-by-case basis.
Heat Also a Factor
Heat presents another challenge, with water breaks arranged as temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius in some host cities. England captain Harry Kane downplayed concerns after Saturday's win over New Zealand, saying, "The drinks breaks help. A lot of people are talking about the heat but I don't think it's going to be as big a factor as what some people say." He added, "We're all athletes, we're all professionals and have played in warm weather conditions before."
