England could face fresh World Cup chaos as quarter-final tie confirmed

England could face further disruption ahead of their World Cup quarter-final tie against Norway on Saturday.

Thomas Tuchel's side secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Mexico in Estadio Azteca, with the match getting underway at 2am UK time (7pm local) on Monday morning.

Kick-off was delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms, with government protocols mandating that a 30-minute delay from outdoor activities is enforced after every lightning strike.

It emerged on Friday night that FIFA were planning to move the kick-off time forward from 6pm to 12pm local time, with The Athletic subsequently reporting that, while the inclement weather was a factor, there were also safety concerns involved.

But after discussions with both federations - the FA were reported to be 'deeply concerned' over the plans and said they were not initially consulted - FIFA decided to stick with the original kick-off time.

England will now take on Norway, who defeated Brazil 2-1 in New Jersey, in Saturday's quarter-final.

The match is due to take place in Miami, Florida, which itself has been hit by thunderstorms and even soaring heat during recent weeks.

According to NBC 6 Miami, there is a chance of 'isolated thunderstorms' during Saturday, with temperatures reaching as high as 33 degrees Celsius.

The chance of rain across the day stands at 30 per cent.

England had experience of a weather delay in the US before their last 16 clash against Mexico, with their final World Cup warm-up match - in Orlando, Florida - against Costa Rica delayed for an hour due to thunderstorms and rain.

Three Lions boss Tuchel told ITV at the time that the delay was 'no problem' and that England would be now able to experience such pre-match conditions before the World Cup got underway.

"We were aware of that before - now we experience it," Tuchel stated.

"It's no problem. It should not be an excuse to lose our mood or patience, or to lose our hunger to play the game. No problem at all.

"We realised it when we were still at the hotel so it was easy. We just said half an hour later in the bus and let's go."

FIFA's thunderstorm protocol explained

The protocol FIFA uses for inclement weather during the World Cup is provided to them by the relevant national weather services and governmental departments.

It mandates that, if a lightning strike hits within an eight to 10-mile radius of a host venue, the outdoor activity must be suspended for at 30 minutes past the final strike.

Fans are also ordered to evacuate their seats and find shelter if possible, and a shelter-in-place order was put in place prior to kick-off for Mexico versus England.

If a match has to be postponed due to prolonged inclement weather, FIFA's regulations state that the match will be restarted from the moment it was initially suspended on an alternate day, if it has kicked off at all.

Lightning has affected three games at the World Cup so far, with a two-hour delay put in place between half-time during the group clash between France and Iraq and the second half then getting underway.

The other instances have occurred in Mexico, with both Mexico's last 32 clash against Ecuador being delayed - also by an hour - and then the last 16 match against England.