England and Norway are due to battle for a place in the World Cup semifinals at Miami Stadium on Saturday evening, but the weather could become as big a talking point as the soccer.

The latest forecast calls for an air temperature of 91°F (33°C) around kickoff, only dropping to 90°F (32°C) an hour later and 88°F (31°C) by 7 p.m. Local forecasts also put the humidity at around 67%, with the National Weather Service warning of dangerous heat across South Florida.

Those figures combine to produce a heat index (or “feels like” temperature) of around 111°F (44°C). At that level, the body struggles to cool itself because sweat evaporates much more slowly in humid air, increasing the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, even for elite athletes.

The City of Miami also warned residents on Saturday that the combination of heat and humidity could increase the risk of heat-related illness, urging people to stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, avoid outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day and seek air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.

Former England striker Alan Shearer, speaking on BBC 5 Live confirmed the heat on air: “It is very, very hot. It will be tough out there. I am not the fittest nowadays, but I was having a sweat walking up those steps in these conditions. It will be pretty painful for those players out there today.”

Could FIFA delay the match?

FIFA are looking at delaying the start of Norway vs England. FIFA uses the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), rather than the air temperature alone, to decide whether matches should be interrupted or delayed. WBGT takes into account temperature, humidity, wind and solar radiation to measure the actual heat stress on the human body.

Under FIFA’s Extreme Heat Guidelines:

- Cooling breaks are introduced when the WBGT reaches 89.6°F (32°C), but of course these have been applied to every game at this World Cup.

-If the WBGT reaches 93.2°F (34°C), the referee can delay kickoff, suspend play or even postpone the match after consulting FIFA officials and medical staff.

FIFPRO, the global players’ union, believes the thresholds should be lower. It has recommended delaying kickoff whenever the air temperature exceeds 82.4°F (28°C) in very hot conditions, arguing that FIFA’s limits do not provide enough protection.

So how long could Norway vs England be delayed?

There is no fixed limit to how long Norway vs England could be delayed due to the heat. If FIFA decides conditions are unsafe, kickoff could be delayed until temperatures fall or the WBGT drops below the danger threshold. That could mean anything from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the weather.

Unlike delays caused by lightning, which require play to remain suspended until the area is clear, a heat delay depends entirely on environmental conditions improving.

One hour and a quarter before kick-off, the current information from FIFA sources is that there is no intention to delay the start of the match due to the heat, but the situation is being monitored.

One bit of good news for England fans

If kickoff is pushed back, fans watching in England should not have to worry about being kicked out of the pub.

The UK government has already relaxed licensing rules for England’s World Cup knockout matches, allowing pubs in England and Wales to stay open later than usual if necessary. So even if Miami’s heat keeps everyone waiting, supporters back home should still be able to watch the entire match without the traditional “last orders” interruption.

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