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The England v Costa Rica kick-off has been delayed until 5pm local time (10pm BST) after lightning and rain threatened the World Cup 2026 warm-up friendly in Orlando.
The Three Lions were due to kick-off at 4pm local time (9pm BST), but the weather pushed the start back to the final preparation for both sides with the tournament due to begin in 24 hours on Thursday, 11 June.
But the delay and threat of a postponement appears to have been limited due to a quick reaction from the Inter&Co Stadium ground staff, with a kick-off at 5pm local time subject to there being no further lightning strikes in the area.
England arrived at the Inter&Co Stadium, home of MLS side Orlando City SC, at 3:30pm local time (8:30pm BST), according to BBC Sport, to complete their final stop before Thomas Tuchel’s side travel to their Kansas City training base.
Then the countdown begins to the first game in Group L against Croatia in Dallas, with the Three Lions one of the favourites to win the trophy.
But after a deluge just over two hours before kick-off, the friendly looked in doubt, with large pools of rain settling on the pitch.
England’s final pre-World Cup friendly with Costa Rica was delayed (PA Wire)
But the water was cleared quickly with fans starting to enter the stadium and the heavy rain subsiding just over an hour before the original kick-off time.
While Inter&Co Stadium staff could be seen drying pools of water with dryers to quickly remove doubt over the match taking place on the eve of the World Cup 2026.
England players inspect the pitch before taking on Costa Rica (Getty)
Tuchel opted to start with Harry Kane, with the Bayern striker flanked by Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon. While Reece James and Nico O’Reilly start either side of Ezri Konsa and John Stones, with Jude Bellingham operating just ahead of Declan Rice and Elliott Anderson.
Bukayo Saka is on the bench, despite his fitness issues, with Tuchel admitting he has concerns over the Arsenal star: “We still have to take a little bit of care for Bukayo who had an injury in March and carried it through to club.
A member of ground staff dries the pitch following heavy rain prior to the International Friendly match between England and Costa Rica (Getty)
“He made himself available at the end of the season and did so brilliantly but he was managed in between matches; that continues a bit at the moment. We are building him up.”