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The government has granted permission for England fans to remain in pubs to either celebrate or commiserate for 30 minutes after the final whistle in the World Cup quarter-final against Norway. This extension applies to supporters in England and Wales, allowing them to watch the entire match uninterrupted, even if the game’s start is delayed due to extreme heat. Previously, venues were allowed to stay open until 2:00 BST, but this new extension ensures fans won’t miss any part of the game.
England is set to kick off at 22:00 BST (18:00 local time) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. The move comes following disruptions during England’s recent game against Mexico on 2 July at the Azteca Stadium, where inclement weather caused the start to be delayed by an hour. Policing Minister Sarah Jones emphasized the importance of the extension, stating, “England fans deserve the chance to watch every minute of the quarter-final together, and that is exactly what our extension guarantees.” She underscored the desire to avoid the confusion and uncertainty experienced during the earlier Mexico encounter.
The Home Office announced that this extension will apply to any future England matches in the tournament, including a potential final, allowing venues the flexibility to keep their doors open for half an hour after the game ends. This broad application means individual establishments no longer have to request extended hours specifically. Prior to this, licensing hours had been extended for the World Cup, allowing venues to stay open until 1:00 AM for games starting between 17:00 and 21:00, and until 2:00 AM for kick-offs between 21:00 and 22:00. The power to extend these hours falls under the home secretary’s authority in cases of “exceptional international, national or local significance.”
Players and fans in Miami will face challenging weather conditions during the match, as the World Cup has been affected by high temperatures in the host countries Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Fifa has introduced mandatory hydration breaks during each half to help players manage the heat and humidity. The BBC’s lead weather presenter Matt Taylor warned that the conditions would be tough, highlighting a heat advisory from the National Weather Service in Miami that runs from 11:00 to 19:00 local time. Temperatures are expected to reach 33C (91.4F), but with humidity factored in, it will feel more like 43C. The chance of storms during the match is estimated at 20-30%, and any lightning detected within eight miles of the stadium would trigger an automatic 30-minute delay.
To assess playing conditions, Fifa uses the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, which considers temperature, humidity, sunlight, and time of day. According to the players’ union Fifpro, matches should be delayed or postponed if the WBGT rises above 28C to ensure safety. The forecasted WBGT for Miami is currently 27C, indicating that the match is expected to proceed as planned without interruption
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