England vs – A World Cup warmup for England and Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando was pushed by extreme weather, after a flood advisory from the National Weather Service warned of heavy rain and possible minor flooding. The match, originally set for 4 p.m. ET, was
The England–Costa Rica friendly in Orlando didn’t start on time—not because of tactics, but because the sky wouldn’t cooperate.
A little over an hour before kickoff. the match at Inter&Co Stadium was delayed due to extreme weather in the Orlando area. with hard rain. lightning and thunder moving through the afternoon. The game had been scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, but neither team provided an immediate update on when play would begin.
On social media and among on-site reporters, video circulated of a rain-soaked field at Inter&Co Stadium. BBC Sports’ Ian Dennis reported he was told the water would clear quickly once the rain stops. but warned that each “thunder strike” would keep the stadium from being opened for an additional 30 minutes.
The National Weather Service has a flood advisory in effect for the Orlando area until 3:45 p.m. ET. The NWS said there is potential for “minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. ” with 1 to 3 inches of rain expected as part of the advisory. It also flagged a 30% chance of thunderstorms “mainly before 8 p.m. ET.” Local radar shown by AccuWeather appeared to indicate precipitation clearing around Orlando between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. ET.
As the delay stretched, the practical question became the same one fans always face when weather takes over: how long will it take to get the field ready for play once the rain stops?
England arrives in Orlando off a 1-0 win against New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday, snapping a run of disappointing March results against Uruguay and Japan. The friendly is the final match before the Three Lions open their 2026 World Cup campaign.
England’s World Cup group schedule begins June 17 against Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The group also includes Ghana and Panama.
Costa Rica, meanwhile, arrived off a 3-1 loss to Colombia and a 5-0 thrashing by Iran. Across its last five matches, Costa Rica conceded 11 goals. The side missed out on the 2026 World Cup and is using this North America trip to assess where its squad stands following a recent managerial transition.
Wednesday’s match is the third time England and Costa Rica have met, after a 0-0 draw at the 2014 World Cup and a 2-0 England win in a 2018 friendly.
Even before any whistle blew, expectations were already taking shape. England has struggled to find the net recently, a trend that could be tested by a Costa Rica team likely to be very defensive. Still, the forecast for the match leaned toward a controlled England win aimed at maintaining fitness.
A prediction was set for England to beat Costa Rica 2-0.
England’s listed lineup for today’s game included Jordan Pickford. Ezri Konsa. Nico O’Reilly. Declan Rice. John Stones. Elliot Anderson. Harry Kane. Jude Bellingham. Anthony Gordon. Jude Bellingham’s midfield partner Anthony Gordon. Anthony Gordon’s attacking role. Anthony Gordon. Anthony Gordon—along with Anthony Gordon. Anthony Gordon—followed by Anthony Gordon. Anthony Gordon. and then Anthony Gordon; the lineup then listed Anthony Gordon. Noni Madueke. and Reece James. with numbers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 8. 9. 10. 18. 20. 24. Lineups will be announced about an hour before kickoff.
For fans tracking the match, England vs. Costa Rica was available to watch via Fubo, with live updates following as the weather determined when the teams could finally take the field.
England vs Costa Rica Inter&Co Stadium Orlando weather delay flood advisory World Cup friendly England 2026 World Cup schedule Thomas Tuchel
So they just kicked the kickoff back cause it was raining? Wild.
I was hoping it would start on time but the lightning thing is usually a whole mess. Orlando weather is nuts right now, like always. They probably should’ve picked a different stadium.
Minor flooding lol. Meanwhile people are acting like the whole world ended. Also 30% chance of thunderstorms doesn’t sound like it should stop a match for hours but I guess thunder strikes do whatever they want.
They delayed it because the water needs to ‘clear quickly’ but then they say every lightning strike adds 30 minutes… so like what, one rumble and they’re done for the day? I saw a video of the field and thought it was already ruined, but maybe they were just exaggerating the rain. Inter&Co stadium should’ve had like some tarp or something instead of waiting around.