Will England vs Norway be delayed? Extreme Miami heat puts World Cup quarter-final at risk

Miami: England's FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Norway could face a delayed kickoff on Saturday because of extreme heat and humidity forecast in Miami, according to reports.

The match is currently scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. ET (2:30 a.m. IST, Sunday) at Hard Rock Stadium, but organisers are closely monitoring the weather, with dangerous conditions potentially forcing a change to the start time.

According to the Daily Mail, temperatures in Miami are expected to range between 29°C and 32°C (84°F-90°F), while the heat index could climb to 44°C (111°F) due to high humidity, making conditions particularly challenging for both players and spectators.

Local authorities have already issued public warnings over the oppressive weather, although FIFA has not announced any change to the kickoff time. Any decision to delay the match is expected to depend on conditions closer to kickoff.

The possibility of a delay comes after several matches during the expanded 2026 World Cup have been played in sweltering conditions, prompting renewed concerns over player welfare and scheduling.

England booked their place in the last eight with a dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16 despite playing much of the second half with 10 men. Jude Bellingham scored twice before Harry Kane converted the decisive penalty to send Thomas Tuchel's side into their 11th FIFA World Cup quarter-final, with only Brazil (15) and Germany (14) having reached this stage more often.

Norway, meanwhile, stunned five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. Erling Haaland scored both goals in the famous victory, taking his tournament tally to seven, the joint-most by a player in his debut World Cup since Poland's Grzegorz Lato scored seven goals in 1974.