Will England vs Norway be postponed?

A shelter in place order is issued at a World Cup stadium
A shelter in place order is issued at a World Cup stadium (Image credit: Getty Images)

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

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 05: Erling Haaland #9 of Norway cools off during a hydration break in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 05, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Erling Haaland is the man of the moment and Norway's greatest threat (Image credit: Getty Images)

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 supporters in Flat Iron Square in London react as they watch England score in the 2018 World Cup semi-final between England and Croatia in Moscow on July 11, 2018

A different kind of 'hydration break' (Image credit: Getty Images)

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.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 17: Jude Bellingham #10 of England takes a drink during a hydration break in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

England players during a World Cup hydration break (Image credit: Getty Images)

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.

Joe Donnohue
Senior Digital Writer

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

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