England manager Thomas Tuchel brushed off the hour-long delay to his side’s World Cup warm-up match against Costa Rica, but the incident may have provided an early glimpse into one of the biggest challenges teams and fans could face during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Three Lions were scheduled to kick off against Costa Rica at 9:00 PM BST in Orlando, Florida, but severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall forced officials to postpone the start by an hour. While the delay caused little disruption to England’s preparations, it highlighted a growing concern surrounding the tournament being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Tuchel remained relaxed despite the setback.
“We knew it could happen,” he told ITV before the match. “Now we’ve experienced it firsthand. It’s not a problem and certainly not an excuse. We adjusted our schedule at the hotel, delayed the bus journey a little, and carried on.”
For players and coaching staff, the interruption was manageable. For supporters inside Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium, however, it was a different story. Fans were instructed to leave their seats and take shelter on the concourses as lightning strikes were detected near the venue.
Why Do Storms Cause Such Long Delays?
Unlike many football competitions around the world, FIFA must follow strict local weather safety regulations when staging matches in the United States.
According to guidelines from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), any lightning strike detected within an eight-mile radius of a stadium triggers an immediate suspension or delay. A mandatory 30-minute countdown begins, and every new lightning strike within that area resets the timer.
This means a single storm system can postpone a match for well over an hour, especially during the summer months when thunderstorms are frequent across many parts of the United States.
A Growing Concern for the World Cup
The delay in Orlando was not an isolated incident.
Just days earlier, a friendly between Saudi Arabia and Puerto Rico in Austin, Texas, was halted in the 21st minute due to severe weather. Repeated lightning strikes extended the stoppage to nearly two hours before play could safely resume.
While some World Cup venues in Texas feature retractable roofs, reducing the impact of rain, lightning safety protocols still remain a factor that organizers cannot ignore.
Former Scotland defender Rachel Corsie believes players may need to adapt their routines.
“When I played in America, this happened almost every weekend,” she said. “The difficult part is adjusting your preparation. Your eating schedule and matchday routine are a huge part of your mindset.”
Former England captain Steph Houghton echoed those concerns, noting that weather disruptions were always expected to be one of the major talking points surrounding the tournament.
Lessons from the Club World Cup
Football fans received a preview of these challenges during last year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Several matches were disrupted by electrical storms, with one of the most dramatic examples involving Chelsea and Benfica in Charlotte, North Carolina.
That match was suspended in the 86th minute after lightning was detected nearby. Nearly two hours passed before conditions improved, forcing players to remain active in the dressing rooms while waiting for the restart.
The game eventually finished four hours and 38 minutes after kickoff.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca did not hide his frustration afterward, questioning whether the conditions were suitable for hosting such a major competition.
What It Means for Fans
For supporters around the world, weather delays could create significant viewing challenges.
A one-hour postponement may not seem dramatic, but for fans watching from Europe, Africa, or Asia, late-night kickoffs could become even more difficult. Some supporters may find themselves choosing between sleep and seeing a match finish.
England’s delayed friendly may have ended without major consequences, but it served as a timely reminder that weather could become an unexpected player during the 2026 World Cup.
With the tournament taking place during peak thunderstorm season in several host cities, further delays and interruptions appear not just possible—but highly likely.
