London
12 °C
Manchester
Glasgow
13 °C
Dublin
Belfast
13 °C
Washington
30 °C
Denver
30 °C
Atlanta
Dallas
Houston Texas
New Orleans
El Paso
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Los Angeles
11 °C
11 °C
12 °C
England World Cup warm-up friendly delayed by storm / Photo: Rich Storry - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
England World Cup warm-up friendly delayed by storm
England's final World Cup warm-up friendly against Costa Rica was delayed on Wednesday after a heavy thunderstorm hit Orlando.
Torrential rain and lightning left the pitch at the at the Inter&Co Stadium heavily waterlogged ahead of the planned 4pm (2000 GMT) kick-off time.
"Today's game against Costa Rica has been delayed due to weather conditions in Orlando. We'll provide further updates as soon as we have them," the English Football Association said in a statement.
The match could be further delayed by another 30 minutes if there is another lightning strike within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.
Delays were prominent feature of the Club World Cup in the United States 12 months ago and could have a major impact on the largest ever World Cup, which begins on Thursday.
England chose to have two friendlies in Florida to acclimatise to the searing heat they will face once the tournament gets underway.
The Three Lions will then travel to their base camp in Kansas City.
Considered among the favourites despite not winning a major tournament for 60 years, England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17.
Thomas Tuchel's side also face Ghana and Panama in Group L.
S.Clark--SMC
