England and Norway move into unknown territory when they face Norway in Miami on Saturday – in scorching conditions.
The three lions have mostly been sheltered from extreme heat in North America so far in the World Cup. They have played indoor games in Dallas and Atlanta, and the three games they have played outdoors – in Boston, New Jersey and Mexico City – have taken place in cooler and more humid conditions.
Played in extreme conditions
That changes on Saturday in the quarter-finals (kick-off 23:00 European time). The match can be played in conditions that the Global Players’ Union considers too dangerous for the match to be conducted.
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Norway has played all but one of their matches outdoors – the exception being the round of 32 victory over Ivory Coast in the air-conditioned Dallas Stadium.
The 2-1 win over Brazil on Sunday was played outdoors while New Jersey was under extreme heat warning from the United States National Weather Service.
So who is best equipped for the heat in Miami?
What does the weather forecast say?
Simply put: Conditions in Miami will be hot and humid.
The air temperature will be around 33°C, but with the humidity it will feel like about 41°C.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat warning for the area on Saturday, warning that high temperatures and humidity can lead to heat-related illnesses.
They advise people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms and stay out of the sun.
In addition to the heat, there is a risk of thunderstorms, especially around the start of the match, and the possibility of showers. Otherwise, sunny periods are expected.
WBGT – the measurement that determines safety
In addition to the felt temperature, the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) will be around 29-32 °C.
The WBGT is an index that combines air temperature, humidity and surface temperature, and is used by international sports organizations such as FIFA to ensure the safety of players.
FIFPRO’s guidelines for playing in heat state that a WBGT above 28°C should lead to “postponement or postponement of matches” until conditions are safer.
However, there is nothing to indicate that the match will not be played. But that it is played in extreme conditions – there is little doubt about that.
The match start between England and Norway may be postponed due to a little-known American phenomenon
