England vs Norway World Cup conflict concern as warmth and lightning storms threaten Miami kick-off
England’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami faces potential chaos tonight, with a 44C “feels like” heat index and tropical thunderstorms that could trigger FIFA’s strict rule
Engalnd fans are starting to show up in Miami hitting ghe bars, parks and beaches.
England fan Laura Cultrera from Wood Green London(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)
England’s World Cup quarter-final showdown with Norway is already being hit by major fears. Forecasters have consequently warned of a toxic mix of extreme heat and tropical thunderstorms that could cause chaos in Miami, USA, where the game tonight will take place.
The match is due to kick off today at 5pm local time in Florida (10pm BST), but organisers could be forced into delays or even a postponement because the stadium has no roof and strict FIFA weather protocols are in place for US-hosted tournaments.
At the heart of the worry is the dangerous “feels like” temperature – predicted to hit a boiling 44C (111F).
The brutal heat index is being driven by soaring temperatures mixed with Florida’s stifling humidity, with Saharan dust plumes also reported to be worsening conditions and creating unsafe levels of heat stress for elite athletes.
But it’s the lightning threat that could completely derail the night. Under FIFA’s safety rules, if a single lightning strike is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium, play must be suspended immediately.
Players, staff and supporters would then be ordered to seek shelter. And here’s the sting: once the match is halted, there has to be a minimum 30-minute wait before the game can restart.
Every time another lightning strike hits within that eight-mile zone, the 30-minute countdown is reset back to zero – meaning a stop-start situation can drag on for hours. Meteorologists are also warning of a particularly nasty phenomenon known as a “bolt from the blue”, where lightning can strike outside the limits of the storm itself.
In some cases, experts say lightning can hit 10 to 15 miles away from the rain clouds. This leaves the stadium at risk of being shut down even if the skies overhead look clear or the worst of the storm appears to have passed, BBC Sport reported.
It is not the first time England has been caught up in the chaos. A previous match against Mexico was delayed by an hour after the same lightning protocol was triggered, raising fresh concerns that the quarter-final could be hit by similar disruption – only worse, with tropical systems now forecast to be more severe.
The warning signs are already there across south Florida, where intense downpours and electrical storms can build quickly in the heat. And, once they arrive, can linger in the area, Fox Weather reported
While Miami is braced for extreme humidity and lightning fears, conditions for Argentina and Switzerland could hardly be more different. The quarter-final is being played at Kansas City Stadium in Missouri today, with kick-off set for 2am BST on Sunday (July 12).
Forecasts for Kansas City are far calmer than Florida’s storm outlook. Temperatures at kick-off are expected to sit in the low 80s Fahrenheit – around 27C – with no rain predicted and only light winds, offering near-perfect football weather.
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