England face Norway tonight with a place in the World Cup semi-final on the line.
The Three Lions have fought their way through to the quarter-final stage, beating Croatia, Panama, DR Congo and co-hosts Mexico in the process.
Norway, meanwhile, had to defeat Brazil to reach the last eight and have captured the imagination of football fans all over the world, largely through Erling Haaland‘s goalscoring and supporters’ now iconic Viking row.
England vs Norway postponement likelihood
Will England vs Norway kick-off be delayed?
After England’s Round of 32 clash with Mexico was delayed due to electrical storms around the Estadio Azteca, similar questions have been asked about tonight’s fixture.
An extreme heat warning has been issued for South Florida with ‘feels like’ temperatures expected to hit 44 degrees Celsius by the time kick-off rolls around at 5pm local time.
England and Norway set to do battle in sweltering temperatures
Whilst weather forecasters predict the actual temperature to be 33 degrees Celsius in Miami at 5pm, a Saharan dust plume is expected to make conditions all the more difficult to play in.
The plume which has travelled across the Atlantic Ocean has reportedly created a thermal blanket over the region in which the match will be played, leaving far-from-ideal conditions for such a high-stakes match.
At this time of year, Florida weather is known for its extreme unpredictability therefore thunderstorms cannot be ruled out either, however they are currently forecast to be unlikely.
Global players’ union FIFPro officially states that games should be delayed or postponed if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT – which factors in ambient heat, humidity, wind, and solar radiation) exceeds 28°C (82.4°F), or if the standard ambient temperature exceeds 36°C (96.8°F).
Theoretically, this fixture is at risk of a postponement but given the nature of the match, FIFA will do everything in their power to ensure it goes ahead whilst maintaining the safety of players and fans.
Already this summer, World Cup matches have been played at high temperatures.
France versus Paraguay in the Round of 16 was contested at a reported 38 degrees Celsius, while Croatia bowed out against Portugal at the same stage in 35 degree heat.
Unlike some stadia at this tournament, Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium does not have a retractable roof and air conditioning that would mitigate for the sweltering outdoor temperature.