England's World Cup warm-up against Costa Rica faced a one-hour delay in Orlando due to thunderstorms, offering an early glimpse of potential scheduling chaos. Heavy rain pushed kick-off from 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST, with fans evacuated from Inter&Co Stadium for lightning safety.

Thomas Tuchel downplayed the disruption, stating teams cannot use weather delays as excuses for losing focus. His calm approach contrasts with concerns from former players about preparation routines being thrown off by extended delays.

The 2026 World Cup faces significant weather risks, as last year's Club World Cup saw six matches suspended. Chelsea's clash with Benfica stretched to four hours and 38 minutes after multiple lightning interruptions. NOAA guidelines mandate a 30-minute safety window that resets with each strike within eight miles.

Former England captain Steph Houghton highlighted timing concerns for Scottish fans, who face 02:00 BST kick-offs. With peak thunderstorm season hitting host cities, these disruptions could become routine rather than exceptional.