Will the England vs Norway game start on time? Here’s the latest chance as heat and thunderstorm warnings are in place.
England and Norway are set to face each other in the World Cup quarter-final, with the game scheduled to start at 10pm British Standard Time, or 5pm local time. However, there have been some worries about a possible delay to the kick-off.
The Three Lions experienced a delay in their round of 16 match against Mexico, which started an hour late because of bad weather at the Azteca Stadium. Despite this, England won 3-2, marking only the third time Mexico has lost at home since 1966.
Before the game with Norway, there were concerns about thunderstorms causing a delay, but those worries have eased thanks to updated weather reports. Most forecasts predict it will be very warm, with temperatures feeling like 29°C to 32°C, and AccuWeather says there’s about a 43% chance of light rain.
This means a delay is unlikely, except maybe due to the heat. FIFPro, the players’ union, recommends delaying matches if the heat index goes above 28°C. But thanks to hydration breaks during both halves, this is probably not a problem.
There’s about a 90% chance the match will start on time. If there is a delay like in the Mexico game, it would probably be between 30 and 75 minutes. The chance of a delay lasting one to two hours is only 3%, and more than two hours is very rare at just 1%.
According to AccuWeather, thunderstorms are expected after 7pm local time with a 51% chance of rain. So, if the game ends within 90 minutes, there should be no delay. But if it goes into extra time or penalties, the risk of delay rises to about 25%.
FIFA has rules for thunderstorms and lightning during games. If lightning strikes within eight miles of the stadium, the match must be paused, players and staff go back to the changing rooms, and fans find shelter. Play can only resume after 30 minutes without lightning, plus 15 minutes for players to warm up again.
So, while the kick-off between England and Norway is likely to be on time, there’s a chance the match could be paused during extra time if the weather turns bad.