Is England vs Norway postponed? Kick-off time and weather latest

England vs Norway kick-off time: When does the quarter-final start?

The quarter-final will be played in Miami, where evening temperatures are still expected to be extremely high. England Norway kick off remains set for 10pm UK time unless FIFA announces a change.

Could England vs Norway be postponed or delayed?

There has been no official announcement that England vs Norway is postponed. FIFA still expects the match to go ahead as planned.

That said, a delay is certainly possible. England’s round-of-16 meeting with Mexico – where Thomas Tuchel‘s side recorded an epic 2-3 victory in the Estadio Azteca – was pushed back by one hour because of severe weather in the area, eventually kicking off around 2am in the UK and finishing at around 4am.

The fact that FIFA has already adjusted England’s schedule during this tournament is one reason supporters are taking the latest forecasts seriously.

For now though, the most likely outcome remains a 22:00 BST start, but the situation could change if thunderstorms move into the area before kick-off.

Why is the weather causing concern in Miami?

The biggest concern is lightning, as there are strict safety procedures for when there is such weather near stadiums in North America. Heavy rain on its own would not necessarily stop the game, but if a lightning strike is detected within close proximity to the stadium, the match either cannot get underway or it has to be stopped if play has already begun.

Forecasts are also predicting oppressive humidity. Conditions are expected to feel significantly hotter than the actual air temperature, creating a demanding environment for both players and supporters.

England Norway postponed rumours have spread largely because of these forecasts and because a similar weather situation affected the Mexico game earlier in the tournament.

What are FIFA’s lightning and heat rules?

FIFA follows local safety guidance in the United States when dealing with thunderstorms. If lightning is detected within an eight-mile radiusof the stadium, play must be suspended and players are required to leave the field. Spectators may also be instructed to move to either under shelter or within the stadium’s indoor premises.

Any weather suspension will last for a minimum of 30 minutes, and the countdown will restart if additional lightning is detected during that period, and within the aforementioned distance.

Officials also carry out wet-bulb globe temperature assessments before matches at particularly hot or humid venues. Those readings help determine whether additional cooling measures are required.

Will pubs stay open if the kick-off is delayed?

The matter of whether pubs will stay open if England vs Norway is delayed has become another major talking point among supporters.

Because the quarter-final is scheduled to start after 9pm, many pubs in England are permitted to remain open until 2am under the special World Cup licensing extension introduced for late-night England fixtures.

Against Mexico, special permission was given for pubs to stay open until the end of the game.

If a significant delay were announced, whether a venue could stay open beyond that point would depend on its individual licence or any temporary permissions it has obtained. Fans planning to watch the game in a pub should check directly with their chosen venue if the schedule changes.

What does this mean for England?

The weather has become an unexpected subplot ahead of one of England’s biggest matches of the tournament. England’s route to the World Cup final has given cause for even more optimism than before the tournament, but another delayed kick-off would create a very different preparation from the one teams usually experience before a quarter-final.

There is also a disciplinary issue hanging over the match. Supporters have been closely following whether Jude Bellingham will miss the World Cup semi-final if booked, with the Real Madrid midfielder among five England players who could be suspended for the next round if cautioned against Norway.

Latest England vs Norway update

As things stand, England vs Norway has not been postponed or delayed and remains scheduled to kick off at 22:00 BST on Saturday, July 11.

However, with thunderstorms, lightning and extreme humidity all in the forecast, FIFA will continue monitoring conditions closely. England supporters should keep an eye on official FIFA updates as Saturday evening approaches, in case the weather forces another late change to the schedule.

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