Will Norway vs. England Be Delayed? Severe Weather Concerns Emerges Before the World Cup Quarterfinal Match
Norway and England are ready for the third quarterfinal match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the weather in Miami could have other plans.
The quarterfinal at Hard Rock Stadium is still scheduled to kick off at 5:00 p.m. ET (10:00 p.m. BST). However, with thunderstorms in the forecast and dangerous heat expected throughout the afternoon, there is growing speculation that the match could be pushed back.
At this stage, FIFA has not announced any delay, and current forecasts give the match around a 90% chance of kicking off as scheduled.
Why Could the Match Be Delayed?
The biggest concern is lightning.
FIFA has a strict safety rule that comes into effect if lightning is detected within eight miles (13 km) of the stadium. If that happens, play cannot begin-or must be stopped immediately if the match is already underway.
The match can only continue after 30 consecutive minutes without another lightning strike. If lightning is detected again during that period, the 30-minute countdown starts over. Once it is safe to resume, players are also given 15 minutes to warm up before the referee restarts the game.
The possibility of a weather delay is not just theoretical. Earlier in the tournament, England's Round of 16 victory over Mexico was pushed back by around an hour because of thunderstorms near the stadium.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway could be delayed due to extreme heat in Miami.
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) July 11, 2026
Temperatures are expected to reach 29 - 32°C, with a real feel of up to 44°C at kick-off!
FIFPRO recommends DELAYING or postponing matches if the local… pic.twitter.com/qYyFMmT2Zi
The Heat Could Also Be a Factor
Even if the storms stay away, Miami's heat could still create problems.
Forecasts predict a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) of 29°C to 32°C, with temperatures feeling as high as 44°C because of the humidity. According to AccuWeather, there is only a 43% chance of light rain around kickoff, while the greater risk of thunderstorms is expected after 7:00 p.m. local time.
FIFPRO recommends delaying or postponing matches when the WBGT rises above 28°C, but FIFA is expected to rely on mandatory cooling breaks rather than delay the start.
If the match finishes within the normal 90 minutes, the risk of a weather interruption remains low. However, if the quarterfinal goes to extra time or penalties, when thunderstorms are more likely to develop, the chances of a temporary suspension increase.
For now, though, all signs point to Norway and England kicking off as planned, with officials continuing to monitor conditions.
Is Norway vs. England Still Going Ahead?
Yes, for now.
The match remains on schedule, and both teams are preparing to kick off as planned.
That said, weather in South Florida can change quickly and FIFA could decide to delay the start until it is safe for players, officials, and supporters.
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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 10:31 AM.