UMVA has learned that a highly anticipated World Cup warm-up match between England and Costa Rica has been delayed due to severe weather conditions in Orlando, with torrential rain and lightning strikes forcing a temporary postponement.
The storm has left the pitch at Inter&Co Stadium in a dreadful state, with large amounts of water covering the grass, prompting concerns about player safety. However, with the rain beginning to clear, stadium officials are racing against time to drain the water and make the pitch playable.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the match was initially delayed by an hour, with the new kick-off time set for 5pm local time, but the threat of further lightning strikes could still disrupt the schedule. England's team, led by Thomas Tuchel, has been announced, with a strong starting XI that includes Jordan Pickford, Reece James, and Harry Kane.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the England team is taking a cautious approach, with the safety of the players being the top priority. The pitch is being rapidly cleared of water, and while there is optimism that the match will go ahead as planned, the team is prepared for any eventuality, including a potential postponement.
The match is a crucial warm-up for England's World Cup campaign, which begins on June 17 against Croatia. If the match against Costa Rica is cancelled, an unofficial friendly against Miami FC on Thursday could take on added importance for Tuchel's team, as they fine-tune their preparations for the tournament.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the stadium has strict rules in place for dealing with lightning strikes, with a mandatory 30-minute delay after each strike. With the weather still unpredictable, England fans will be keeping a close eye on developments, hoping that the match will go ahead as planned and that their team will emerge unscathed.
