England face 106F heat index in Miami before World Cup quarterfinal
Why it matters: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature near kickoff is estimated at 28C-30C, a range FIFPRO says can justify delaying play.
England head into Saturday’s World Cup quarterfinal against Norway in Miami facing their hottest conditions of the tournament, with forecasters expecting a heat index near 106F and possible thunderstorms around kickoff. The National Weather Service warned of a hazardous heat threat, with air temperatures around 91F and heavy humidity. BBC calculations put the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature at 28C to 30C near match time, a level at which players’ union FIFPRO says games should be delayed or postponed if conditions are unsafe. England have mostly played in air-conditioned venues or cooler outdoor cities, while Norway have had more exposure to outdoor summer heat, including their 2-1 win over Brazil in New Jersey.