ENGLAND finished their preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica in Orlando.
However, due to severe weather, the game was delayed for an hour. Here’s all you need to know on what happened and what to expect at the tournament weather-wise.
England’s warm-up match against Costa Rica was delayed for an hour due to adverse weather Credit: Getty Images
Why was England’s match delayed?
match against Costa Rica was pushed back for an hour due to extreme rainfall in the Orlando area.
The game was meant to start at 4pm local time (9pm UK time) but ended up starting at 5pm local time (10pm UK time).
Heavy rain and lightning earlier in the day put the friendly under threat, with water flooding the pitch.
Ground staff worked on drying out puddles on the pitch using leaf blowers in order to make the surface playable.
An England statement read: “Today’s game against Costa Rica has been delayed due to weather conditions in Orlando.
“We’ll provide further updates as soon as we have them.”
The new time was announced soon after, subject to no further warnings of lightning strikes in the area.
Are more delays expected at the World Cup?
Weather delays at this years World Cup have been a major talking point since the Club World Cup last year.
A number of games were delayed at last years tournament, most notably involving eventual world champions Chelsea in the last 16.
The Blues game against Benfica was suspended for two hours after players were taken off the pitch in the 86th minute.
The London club ended up winning 4-1 in extra time, with the total game taking four hours and 38 minutes to complete.
FIFA don’t have a policy regarding severe weather of its own, having to adhere to local rules of the venue.
Any match will be suspended if lightning is detected within eight miles of a stadium, and will not resume for at least half an hour.
All players must leave the pitch, and fans must leave their seats and take shelter.
Matches cannot resume until half an hour has passed with no lightning detected within that eight-mile radius.
If a match has to be postponed due to weather, it would most likely pick up the following day from the point in which the match was suspended.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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