England’s final World Cup warm-up delayed after heavy thunderstorm hits Orlando

By Jonathan Veal and Simon Peach, Press Association, Orlando

England’s final pre-World Cup friendly against Costa Rica has been delayed after a heavy thunderstorm hit Orlando.

A thunderstorm descended at around 1pm local time and battered the Florida city relentlessly, with torrential rain and lightning filling the skies.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were due to face the Central American outfit at 4pm eastern time (9pm BST) but the pitch at the Inter&Co Stadium was heavily waterlogged an hour-and-a-half before the start.

Although the pitch drained quickly, kick-off was still put back by one hour as rain and inclement weather remained in the area.

There will be another delay of 30 minutes if there is a lightning strike within an eight-mile radius of the stadium, though the weather had appeared to clear by 3.30pm local time (8.30pm BST).

A Football Association statement read: “Following a pitch inspection at the stadium, today’s match against Costa Rica will now kick off at 5pm ET (10pm UK time) – subject to there being no further lightning strikes in the area.”

England fans in the area took shelter where they could, including some going inside a local library, while others had to risk the elements.

Jude Bellingham was named in Tuchel’s starting XI for the game in the No.10 position as he gets a chance to stake his place for a shirt in next week’s opener against Croatia.

Harry Kane again led the line with Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke supporting him, while Declan Rice started alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield.