England's World Cup quarter-final match against Norway in Miami is at risk of further delays due to forecasted thunderstorms and high temperatures. The team's previous match against Mexico in Mexico City was already delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms.
The quarter-final is scheduled to kick off at 10 PM GMT on Saturday. However, weather reports indicate that thunderstorms are expected in Miami around that time. AccuWeather forecasts "sunny periods" with "a thunderstorm in spots in the afternoon," warning that "lightning from nearby storms may impact the soccer match." NBC Miami also anticipates "isolated thunderstorms" around 5 PM local time.
Beyond the potential for storms, soaring temperatures and humidity could pose a significant challenge. Forecasts predict highs of 34 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels ranging from 60 to 68 percent. This could make the conditions feel as warm as 44 degrees Celsius, affecting both England and their European opponents.
FIFA regulations state that play is automatically suspended if lightning strikes within eight miles of a stadium to ensure the safety of players and fans. Each new lightning strike within this perimeter can lead to a further 30-minute delay in restarting the game. This rule was notably applied during France's group game against Iraq, which experienced a two-hour delay between halves due to thunderstorms and lightning.
Previous weather-related disruptions have also affected England and other teams. The team's final friendly before the World Cup against Costa Rica was delayed by an hour due to inclement weather. Similarly, Mexico's last-32 clash against Ecuador faced similar delays.