Football - EFL Carabao League Cup - Quarter-Final - Southampton vs Liverpool - St Marys Stadium - Wednesday 18th December 2024. Liverpool s Tyler Morton. Imago Images
England’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway is under threat from extreme weather conditions, with scorching heat and thunderstorms forecast in Miami this weekend.
Temperatures in the city are expected to reach 34°C, but high humidity levels mean conditions could feel closer to a sweltering 43°C when the match begins.
The BBC’s weather forecast has warned of thunderstorms both shortly before kick-off and during the game itself, raising serious concerns about the fixture going ahead as planned.
FIFA were previously forced to push back England’s last-16 tie against Mexico by an hour due to similar weather-related disruptions in the region.
There are now genuine fears that the Norway clash could face a cancellation or postponement if conditions are deemed too dangerous for players and spectators alike.
The match is currently scheduled to kick off at 10pm on Saturday evening UK time, meaning it would not conclude until well past midnight if extra time and penalties are required.
England’s clash with Mexico eventually got underway at around 2am UK time, eventually finishing at roughly 4am on Monday morning, causing exhausted fans to stay up through the night.
FIFA regulations require a minimum 30-minute postponement in the event of thunderstorms, with the governing body following rules set by local authorities throughout the tournament.
Should any lightning strike be detected within eight miles of the stadium, the match must be immediately suspended, with players leaving the pitch and spectators moving indoors away from their seats.
FIFA must also follow guidance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States, whose protocols govern player and crowd safety during severe weather events.
Officials will take WBGT, or Wet-bulb globe temperature, readings 90 minutes before kick-off and again an hour prior to matches at stadiums considered particularly hot or humid.
England encountered nearly identical difficulties during their pre-tournament preparations in Florida, when their warm-up match against Costa Rica kicked off an hour late due to heavy rain and lightning at Orlando City’s stadium.
Manager Thomas Tuchel reflected on that experience at the time, telling ITV: “It gives us a little taste of what can happen in the tournament. We were aware of that before, now we experience it.”
He remained composed about the disruption, adding: “It’s no problem. It should not be an excuse to lose our mood or patience or to lose our hunger to play the game.”
Tuchel further explained how the delay was managed smoothly, saying: “We realised it when we were still at the hotel so it was easy we just said half an hour later in the bus and let’s go.”
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