England’s final World Cup warm-up match against Costa Rica was delayed on Wednesday night due to severe weather conditions at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Heavy thunderstorms and torrential rain hit the venue in the hours leading up to kick-off, leaving parts of the pitch flooded and prompting safety concerns over lightning.
The Football Association confirmed the delay in a brief statement, noting that the game was postponed due to the ongoing weather. Original kick-off was scheduled for 9pm BST, and ground staff were working to clear standing water as officials monitored the situation.
Fans inside the stadium were advised via the big screen to take shelter as the downpour intensified. The stormy conditions are typical for Florida in summer but created challenging circumstances for players, staff, and spectators ahead of the important preparation fixture.
England manager Thomas Tuchel had been using the match to finalize his plans for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday.
England will kick off their campaign against Croatia on June 17, with Tuchel’s men desperate to break their long historical drought and finally put a second star on the national shirt.
England last won the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy sixty years ago on home soil in 1966. Their best ever finishes in the competition without winning were their fourth-place finishes in both 1990 and 2018. The Three Lions reached the quarter-finals in 2022.
