The heat is on — and so is the threat of thunderstorms. When England step out at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night to face Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals, they will confront conditions the global players' union considers too dangerous for football to go ahead. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature at kick-off is calculated at 28-30C; Fifpro guidelines say anything above 28C should trigger a delay or postponement. The US National Weather Service has issued a hazardous heat threat, with air temperatures around 33C (91F) but humidity making it feel like 41C (106F).
England have been largely shielded from extreme heat so far. Their indoor matches in Dallas and Atlanta were air-conditioned to a comfortable 21C, and the three outdoor games — in Boston, New Jersey and Mexico City — were played in cooler, damper conditions. That changes on Saturday. Norway, by contrast, have played all but one match outdoors, including their last-32 victory over Brazil while New Jersey was under an extreme heat warning. They are high on confidence after knocking out Brazil and will not fear an England side who had to come down from the emotional high and altitude of their epic 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico.
“England face Norway in Miami with extreme heat and possible storms; WBGT at 28-30C above safety threshold.”
Thomas Tuchel must reshuffle his defence after Jarell Quansah was controversially banned for his red card in Mexico. But there was a boost as Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James all trained on match eve. James has missed the last three games with a hamstring issue but hopes to be available. Jordan Henderson is out with a freak arm injury from the Mexico celebrations. Norway have their own fitness concerns: right-back Julian Ryerson battles a hamstring problem but is expected to start, while several players are shaking off a virus. Defender Marcus Holmgren Pedersen has returned to training after missing the Brazil game, and Wolves' David Moller Wolfe is being monitored after a knock.
Norway manager Ståle Solbakken insists the tie is more than a shootout between Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, though he acknowledged both are match-winners. “Kane is the match-winner number one for England and Haaland is match-winner number one for us,” he said. Offering a candid insight into his star striker, Solbakken added: “That hunger is not that big when training. When he trains, when he participates, he is hungry for goals, but on a couple of those training sessions, he hasn't been all that hungry. I have to be honest.”
England will wear their all-white kit after switching from the navy shorts used against Mexico. FIFA rules require sufficient contrast; the Three Lions have a 100% win record in all-white so far. But the biggest threat may come from the sky. Thunderstorms are forecast around the Hard Rock Stadium, especially near kick-off at 10pm BST. The match is scheduled to be shown live on ITV1, but the weather could yet delay England’s quest to end 60 years of hurt.