England's World Cup quarter-final match against Norway in Miami could be subject to weather-related delays due to forecasted thunderstorms. This follows a one-hour delay in their previous round of 16 match against Mexico in Mexico City, which was also disrupted by thunderstorms.
The quarter-final is scheduled to kick off at 10 PM GMT on Saturday. However, weather reports indicate a possibility of thunderstorms in Miami around that time. AccuWeather forecasts "sunny periods; a thunderstorm in spots in the afternoon; lightning from nearby storms may impact the soccer match." NBC Miami also predicts "isolated thunderstorms" in the late afternoon.
In addition to potential storms, soaring temperatures and high humidity are expected to pose a challenge for the players. Forecasts predict highs of 34 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels ranging from 60 to 68 percent. This could make the perceived temperature feel as high as 44 degrees Celsius. These conditions will affect both England and their opponents, Norway.
FIFA regulations state that play is suspended if a lightning strike occurs within an eight-mile radius of the stadium to ensure the safety of participants and spectators. Each new lightning strike within this perimeter can lead to a further 30-minute delay before the game can resume. A notable example of this occurred during France's group stage game against Iraq, which experienced a two-hour delay between halves due to thunderstorms and lightning.
This is not the first instance of weather impacting England's World Cup campaign. Their final friendly match before the tournament against Costa Rica was also delayed by an hour due to inclement weather. Additionally, Mexico's last-32 match against Ecuador faced similar delays.