According to reports, there is a chance that the FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash between England and Norway gets delayed owing to inclement weather.
The fixture, which is set to be played at the Miami Gardens Stadium in Florida, is scheduled to kick off at 5PM local time. Just hours before the game, however, a major heat risk has been declared in South Florida.
According to forecasts, the temperature could rise to 29-32°C right around the starting time for the match. The elevated temperatures could lead to potential postponements and even a temporary suspension, according to Daily Mail.
Any delays would be in line with the guidelines laid down by FIFPRO, the global body representing footballers around the world. In order to keep in-game conditions safe, they have advised that matches should be adjourned if local temperatures at the venue exceed 28°C.
While the debate over a potential postponement continues off the field, the match-up on the field is expected to be an intense, hard-fought battle. Both England and Norway are coming into the last eight encounter on the back of back-to-back thrillers in the previous rounds of the FIFA World Cup.
A brace from Harry Kane helped the Three Lions overturn a 1-0 deficit to beat DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32. Thomas Tuchel's side had to fight hard once again in the Roudn of 16 against Mexico, securing a narrow 3-2 victory on the back of Jude Bellingham and Kane's heroics.
On the other hand, the Landslaget have been powered by superstar marksman Erling Haaland. The 25-year-old scored the winner in their 2-1 win over Cote d'Ivoire in the Round of 32 and followed it up with a brace to sink Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16.
Norway are playing their first-ever FIFA World Cup quarter-final, while England are hoping to win their first major title since their historic 1966 World Cup triumph.
Former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has claimed that he would pick Three Lions' captain Harry Kane over Norway superstar Erling Haaland.
At the ongoing FIFA World Cup, the English skipper has bagged six goals and an assist in five appearances while the Norwegian talisman has seven goals in four games.
Ahead of the World Cup quarter-final between England and Norway, Owen gave his thoughts on the Kane vs Haaland debate that has taken the world by storm. In his column for the Daily Mail, the 46-year-old wrote:
Kane and Haaland will face off in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash between England and Norway on Saturday (July 11).
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