England navigate weather threat again as storm looms over Norway quarter-final in Miami

England are braced for another weather-related disruption at their World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday, with temperatures sitting around 33 degrees and a thunderstorm threat hovering over the city — though current forecasts suggest it should clear before the 6pm local kick-off.

Thomas Tuchel’s side have already dealt with two significant weather delays this summer. A lengthy storm interruption pushed back their pre-tournament friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando, and last Sunday’s round-of-16 victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca was delayed by an hour after FIFA considered moving the kick-off earlier — partly due to weather, partly over fan safety concerns following the deaths of four supporters in crushes after Mexico’s previous game against Ecuador.

The Football Association has been closely tracking forecasts since the Mexico City incident, and the England camp’s preparation in the build-up to the Azteca fixture was held up as a model of good practice. By getting their timing right, the squad arrived at the stadium just over 90 minutes before kick-off, avoiding the worst of the conditions.

The reliability of weather apps in this part of the world has been a key asset. Storms in cities like Mexico City and Miami can be tracked with considerable accuracy, allowing teams to plan warm-up schedules and travel windows with precision. The Azteca, despite its age and compact dressing rooms, had adapted well — players used exercise bikes and recovery areas behind the stands during the delay, and England’s staff expect similar facilities to be available in Miami.

Weather delays are not uncommon in North American football. Last summer, Chelsea’s Club World Cup tie with Benfica in Charlotte was held up by nearly two hours, with the match finishing more than four and a half hours after its scheduled start. Players including Reece James — now part of England’s World Cup squad — kept their legs moving on exercise bikes throughout the stoppage.

Charlotte is regarded as a hotspot for extreme weather, and Miami carries a similar reputation, with a history of tornados. England’s training base in Kansas City is also known for volatile conditions, meaning the squad has had no shortage of experience managing disruptions this tournament.

Local fans, accustomed to sudden storms, tend to take delays in their stride, with stadium concourses designed to accommodate long waits. England, for their part, appear well-drilled in doing the same.