England vs Costa Rica Kickoff Delayed by Heavy Rain and Lightning in Orlando, Later Rescheduled
The England vs Costa Rica friendly at Inter&Co Stadium was postponed by weather. Organizers conducted a pitch inspection and planned a delayed start.
The IndependentHeavy rain and lightning delayed the England versus Costa Rica kickoff at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. The match, a World Cup 2026 warm-up friendly, had been scheduled to begin at 4pm local time, or 9pm BST, on Wednesday. A deluge less than two hours before the scheduled start left large pools of rain on the pitch.
Stadium staff used dryers to clear the water while fans began entering the stands. The heavy rain later subsided. A pitch inspection was set for around 3:15pm local time. Organizers expected the kick-off to be pushed back by at least one hour.
England had been due to arrive at the stadium at 3:30pm local time, or 8:30pm BST. England recorded a 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa Bay on Saturday. Harry Kane scored the only goal with a first-half header.
Thomas Tuchel started Kane against Costa Rica, flanked by Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon. Reece James and Nico O'Reilly started either side of Ezri Konsa and John Stones. Jude Bellingham operated just ahead of Declan Rice and Elliott Anderson.
Bukayo Saka remained on the bench. Thomas Tuchel said the decision followed an injury Saka sustained in March. “We still have to take a little bit of care for Bukayo who had an injury in March and carried it through to club,” Tuchel said.
The remainder of the England squad is fit and available for selection. After the match, the team travels to its Kansas City training base. England’s first game in Group L of the World Cup 2026 is against Croatia in Dallas.
The tournament begins on Thursday, 11 June.
