England vs Costa Rica LIVE!
England made light work of Costa Rica in their final warm-up game ahead of the World Cup. Kick-off in Wednesday night’s feisty friendly was delayed by an hour after fierce thunderstorms hit Orlando and left much of the playing surface at Inter&Co Stadium submerged in water. But thankfully the torrential rain eventually relented and the lightning ceased to allow the match to take place after the pitch drained quickly.
Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated after proceedings belatedly got under way, with Declan Rice’s deflected ninth-minute strike giving them an early lead that should have been increased before the break as Noni Madueke inexplicably hit the post from close range and a penalty award for Anthony Gordon was overturned upon review. But England were undeterred as they returned for the second half with no changes in stark contrast to Saturday’s hard-fought win over New Zealand in Tampa, where Tuchel named two different XIs, with the impressive Gordon netting from the penalty spot after a handball forced by Eberechi Eze.
Ollie Watkins rounded off the scoring late on, heading home the rebound after Aston Villa team-mate Morgan Rogers had forced an initial save. Next up for the Three Lions is their Group L opener against Croatia in Dallas next week.
England vs Costa Rica highlights
- GOAL! Watkins heads in late third for England
- GOAL! Gordon nets penalty after handball
- Penalty award to Gordon overturned before break
- POST! Madueke misses great chance for 2-0
- GOAL! Rice fires England into early lead
- Kick-off delayed by an hour after thunderstorms
England 3-0 Costa Rica
Thursday 11 June 2026 00:13 , George Flood
Despite the storm delays, that was close to an ideal evening for England and Thomas Tuchel in the end.
A convincing result and improved performance, with no injuries suffered.
They could have netted a hatful against very limited opposition.
Next stop, Group L rivals Croatia in Dallas in their World Cup opener next Wednesday.
They will travel to their tournament training base in Kansas City, Missouri at the weekend.
England 3-0 Costa Rica
Thursday 11 June 2026 00:08 , George Flood
Full-time
England 3-0 Costa Rica
Thursday 11 June 2026 00:07 , George Flood
96 mins: You don’t see that every day - the ball has had to be swapped out because it was punctured during a robust challenge.
The final whistle now sounds.
England 3-0 Costa Rica
Thursday 11 June 2026 00:05 , George Flood
A poacher’s goal from Ollie Watkins...
And Ollie Watkins makes it THREE! ⚽️⚽️⚽️
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 10, 2026
The Aston Villa striker pounces to give England the perfect sendoff 🏴 pic.twitter.com/RQGthvwY5T
England 3-0 Costa Rica
Thursday 11 June 2026 00:04 , George Flood
95 mins: Rashford and Watkins are both almost in, the latter denied by Madriz.
Rogers now fires over.
England 3-0 Costa Rica
Thursday 11 June 2026 00:03 , George Flood
93 mins: Another block denies Eze. Mainoo is also thwarted.
The travelling England fans are in fine voice in the last few minutes at Inter&Co Stadium.
England 3-0 Costa Rica
Thursday 11 June 2026 00:02 , George Flood
92 mins: Into six minutes of stoppage time in Orlando and England are hungry for more goals.
Saka sells a couple of nifty stepovers before flashing a dangerous low ball across the six-yard box and wide of the back post.
Frustrated Arsenal team-mate Eze then has two efforts blocked in quick succession by Galo and Quiros.
GOAL! England 3-0 Costa Rica | Ollie Watkins 87'
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:57 , George Flood
87 mins: The scoreline looks far more healthy for England now in the closing stages.
Rogers’ effort bounces in front of Madriz, who can only parry the ball straight into the path of the alert Watkins.
The Aston Villa striker heads in the rebound easily from close range.
England 2-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:55 , George Flood
83 mins: Inside the final 10 minutes and England’s totally changed XI are looking to finish with a flourish in Orlando.
They are ramping up the pressure once again and asking serious questions of Costa Rica inside the penalty area.
Rogers’ confidence doesn’t look to have been dented by that bad miss.
England 2-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:52 , George Flood
78 mins: Salazar is lucky to avoid a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Mainoo.
Ruiz, Rodriguez and Sinclair are all entering the fray now for Costa Rica.
They replace Araya, Mora and Ugalde.
England 2-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:48 , George Flood
As emphatic a penalty as you will ever see from Anthony Gordon...
PENALTY to England... 🏴
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 10, 2026
Anthony Gordon makes no mistake from the spot 🎯 pic.twitter.com/xlCJbmICzS
England 2-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:46 , George Flood
74 mins: Two England players go down inside the box as they try and get ahead of their respective markers from a corner.
Nunez then collects Costa Rica’s fourth yellow card of this friendly for time-wasting.
Rogers must score after being released by Eze, but he drills wide.
England 2-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:43 , George Flood
70 mins: Back under way after the second-half drinks break in Orlando.
A raft of further changes from England as Burn, Watkins, Mainoo, Rashford and Quansah replace O’Reilly, Konsa, Anderson, Gordon and Bellingham.
England 2-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:41 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reports
A penalty of real conviction from Gordon. Thumped into the top corner and England belatedly have the second goal they deserved about 45 minutes ago.
GOAL! England 2-0 Costa Rica | Anthony Gordon (pen) 68'
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:38 , George Flood
68 mins: England have that elusive second goal at long last!
With usual taker Kane now off the pitch, Gordon whips in a superb penalty awarded after Eze’s shot hit a Costa Rican arm inside the box.
Good work from Bellingham in the build-up.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:36 , George Flood
63 mins: Six changes in total for England - including the goalkeeper.
Pickford, Stones, James, Rice, Madueke and Kane off.
Dean Henderson, Guehi, Spence, Eze, Saka and Rogers on.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:34 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reports
The referee had better be adding this time on. The Costa Rica stoppage lasted for an awfully long time.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:33 , George Flood
61 mins: Odd scenes after Sequeira booted the ball out of play because of an apparent leg injury, went down for some time to receive treatment and then was fine to carry on.
But now he is finally making way for back-up goalkeeper Abraham Madriz.
Tuchel - who was very annoyed about that long stoppage with his team so dominant - is about to ring the changes for England.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:30 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reports
He rather snatched at that chance, O'Reilly.
Probably should have done better and maybe should have scored.
Constant pressure from England now as they hunt that second goal.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:30 , George Flood
Costa Rica have been shown another yellow card for Salazar’s foul on Konsa.
Another chance for England to grab that elusive second goal through O’Reilly.
Costa Rica send on Cristopher Nunez for Andrey Soto.
Now goalkeeper Sequeira is down...
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:17 , George Flood
48 mins: A quick start to the second period by England as Kane releases Madueke, who strikes narrowly wide of the far post.
Costa Rica then launch a very rare foray forward but Rice charges back to avert the danger.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:15 , George Flood
After changing his whole team at half-time against New Zealand, Tuchel has made no substitutions at the break today.
It looks like the bulk of this team are going to get 60/70 minutes in Orlando as expected.
Costa Rica boss Fernando Batista has quickly reversed his one change from the Colombia game, with Shawn Johnson making way for Haxzel Quiros at right-back.
Johnson was on a booking after being given a torrid time by Gordon in the first 45.
Second half is off and running...
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:08 , George Flood
Noni Madueke will be having nightmares about this glaring close-range miss.
Hit it with your right!
A HUGE opportunity for 2-0! 😱
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 10, 2026
Madueke misses with the goal at his mercy 🫣#ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/3Lv46RG9Wn
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:07 , George Flood
Here is that ninth-minute goal from Rice.
A superb change of pace from Gordon to beat his man down the left and get to the byline, before providing a perfect assist.
A rapid start from the THREE LIONS! 🦁🏴
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 10, 2026
Declan Rice tucks it away to give England the lead 💥 pic.twitter.com/K04zePrnwQ
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:59 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reports
I can see why that penalty decision was overturned. There was no one single egregious action in the challenge. A robust challenge, yes, but not an illegal one. Correct call.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:56 , George Flood
Half-time
Rice's deflected early strike is the difference at the interval in Orlando after a mostly improved performance by England so far.
Madueke missed a glaring chance for 2-0 and a late penalty award for Gordon was overturned.
The new Barcelona winger is comfortably the biggest winner from that feisty first half as he looks to win his selection battle with Marcus Rashford.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:54 , George Flood
49 mins: But hang on!
VAR Chris Penso has advised referee Ekaterina Koroleva to consult the pitchside monitor.
She watches the replays and duly reverses her decision. No penalty.
It did look very harsh.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:52 , George Flood
47 mins: Penalty to England!
Johnson brings down Gordon after a fine delivery from Kane.
Kane to step up.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:51 , George Flood
45 mins: Two minutes of added time have been signalled at the end of this first half in Orlando.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:50 , George Flood
44 mins: Anderson stoops into a header and is caught by a high boot from Mora.
Another booking.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:49 , George Flood
41 mins: England continue to keep the pressure on with deliveries into the box.
Costa Rica continue with their physical approach and now a member of their coaching staff has been shown a yellow card by referee Ekaterina Koroleva.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:47 , George Flood
38 mins: Madueke was not happy at all with that challenge from Araya, who is also clashing with Bellingham now.
For a friendly, this has been a very feisty first half at times.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:44 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reports
Remarkable miss from Madueke. Of course, all he can do is smile in embarrassment after hitting the post from point-blank range and an open goal, having rounded the goalkeeper.
The football was exquisite.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:44 , George Flood
36 mins: Good to see Anderson back on his feet after a clash of heads with Galo.
England are quickly back on the attack...
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:41 , George Flood
34 mins: How has Madueke not scored?!
He’s onside as he’s sent clean through and gets past the goalkeeper with a nice bit of skill.
The goal is gaping and he just needs to tap it in with his right foot, but instead goes with the left.
The ball hits the base of the post and bounces wide off his heels.
It should be 2-0.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:38 , George Flood
30 mins: Gordon links up well with Rice before being brought down by Mitchell.
Wasteful from Rice from the resulting free-kick.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:36 , George Flood
28 mins: Pickford has been a complete spectator so far in this game but gets sloppy there as an errant pass is quickly picked off.
Mora should go for goal himself but opts for a pass and the resulting effort is blocked.
A bit of a let-off for England and a warning not to get too comfortable here.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:32 , George Flood
24 mins: England are really enjoying themselves out there as more incisive football and a smart ball into the right channel from James leads to a fizzing Anderson cross that is diverted away from the back post.
Sequeira makes a bit of a meal of Madueke’s follow-up attempt.
England have another corner and Kane ends up cutting inside before launching a shot into orbit.
We will now have our first-half drinks break in Orlando.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:29 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reports
I've been very impressed by the intensity and decisiveness of England's start in the final third.
Tuchel will love getting to see Madueke out there.
One of his favourite players, and a very direct and risk-taking winger.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:28 , George Flood
22 mins: Close to a second goal for England as Kane’s clever flicked header from another Rice free-kick delivery wide on the left is pushed wide by Sequeira.
Great save. Almost a carbon copy of Kane’s goal against New Zealand at the weekend.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:26 , George Flood
20 mins: The inspired Gordon continues to terrorise Costa Rica’s inexperienced right-back Johnson, who brings him down and receives a booking.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:25 , George Flood
16 mins: England continue to probe patiently as Rice’s free-kick delivery from the left intended for Kane is gathered with confidence by a leaping Sequeira.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:19 , George Flood
12 mins: England are absolutely dominant at the moment and threatening to double their early advantage.
Costa Rica cannot live with Gordon down England’s left side and he’s tearing through at will.
Kane comes close from another corner as the ball is hastily hacked away inside the six-yard box.
England 1-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:17 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reports
That's a superb goal that comes from really dogged work on the left from Gordon.
Great change of pace. Barcelona, his new club, will have been very impressed by that.
GOAL! England 1-0 Costa Rica | Declan Rice 9'
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:15 , George Flood
9 mins: That didn’t take long!
A brilliant run from Gordon, who gets to the byline before teeing up Rice for a low strike that deflects heavily past Sequeira.
England are rewarded quickly for their high-tempo start.
England 0-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:13 , George Flood
8 mins: There has already been a marked difference from England in terms of intent, energy and tempo inside this first 10 minutes, when compared to the New Zealand game.
Kane is leading the charge, combining well with Gordon before a crucial intervention inside the Costa Rican box.
Now Kane goes down looking for a penalty, but referee Ekaterina Koroleva is not interested.
England 0-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:11 , George Flood
6 mins: Neat passing football now from England, with Bellingham selling a clever dummy to deceive Costa Rica captain Galo on the edge of the box before his shot deflects wide of the far post.
Madueke’s corner delivery from the right then creates chaos with some pinball in the six-yard box.
Bellingham goes down. Nothing given.
England 0-0 Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:08 , George Flood
3 mins: A surprisingly feisty start to this delayed friendly as Costa Rica No9 Ugalde slams into Anderson, leaving him in a heap.
That is after a little shove on Alcocer leaves the Westerlo forward on the ground in pain after an awkward landing.
England vs Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:04 , George Flood
Under way in Orlando!
After wearing red against the All Whites of New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday, England are in their home kit today.
Dark red strips for Costa Rica.
Teams are out
Wednesday 10 June 2026 21:59 , George Flood
A prolonged burst of fireworks as the teams emerge out on to the pitch at long last at Inter&Co Stadium, led by referee Ekaterina Koroleva.
More fireworks ensue before the national anthems, with ‘God Save the King’ to follow ‘Himno Nacional de Costa Rica’.
It really is remarkable how quickly this pitch has dried out.
Tuchel relaxed despite storm delay
Wednesday 10 June 2026 21:46 , George Flood
A very relaxed Thomas Tuchel in his pre-match interview with ITV, given the circumstances.
England knew of the delay before they left their team hotel earlier, so haven’t had their preparations disrupted too badly.
Tuchel points out that it’s the first time that Bellingham will start alongside all of Kane, Rice and Anderson.
He says Kane would have been very unhappy at being rested today, confirming that he will get an hour on the pitch.
🗣️ "It's the first time [Bellingham] that he plays with Harry, Elliot and Dec together." 👀
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 10, 2026
🗣️ "We check the blood and sweat of the players so acclimatisation is there."
Thomas Tuchel speaks with @gabrielclarke05 ahead of kickoff in Orlando pic.twitter.com/sCMgds8Rak
Costa Rica show one change from Colombia defeat
Wednesday 10 June 2026 21:41 , George Flood
Costa Rica look to have made just the one change from the side beaten 3-1 by Colombia in another friendly in Bogota last week.
It’s at right-back, where Shawn Johnson earns his first senior cap in place of Haxzel Quiros.
As mentioned, 150-cap ex-Arsenal winger Joel Campbell is not in the squad.
Argentine former Venezuela coach Fernando Batista was only appointed in March, after Mexican Miguel “Piojo” Herrera was dismissed following Costa Rica’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
Wednesday 10 June 2026 21:32 , George Flood
Amazingly, they have been watering the pitch ahead of kick-off at Inter&Co Stadium.
But Thomas Tuchel has just said on ITV that the surface is surprisingly dry, given how much rain there has been today.
Seems like those blowers may have worked too well!
Costa Rica lineup
Wednesday 10 June 2026 21:29 , George Flood
Here is how Costa Rica line up in Orlando....
Sequeira, Araya, Faerron, Mitchell, Johnson, Salazar, Alcocer, Soto, Galo, Mora, Ugalde
Tuchel goes strong in final World Cup warm-up
Wednesday 10 June 2026 21:23 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reports
It's an understandably strong lineup that Tuchel has named in England's final warm-up game.
The German revealed this week that he was unlikely to introduce a completely changed XI for the second half against Costa Rica as he did against New Zealand.
This time players could last 60 or 70 minutes. It is a strong team he's fielded from the start, and so he will be disappointed if the performance in Orlando is not an impressive one.
Wednesday 10 June 2026 21:06 , George Flood
So, how close do we think that is to the England team that will line up against Croatia in their World Cup Group L opener in Dallas in seven days’ time?
You’d expect Marc Guehi to be in defence, while Bukayo Saka will surely start if he can prove his fitness to Thomas Tuchel in time.
Morgan Rogers for Jude Bellingham? Marcus Rashford for Anthony Gordon?
Bellingham starts at No10 for England
Wednesday 10 June 2026 21:00 , George Flood
Right, now we know at last that this game is (hopefully) going ahead, let’s take a closer look at that starting England team.
Jude Bellingham over Morgan Rogers in the No10 role is obviously the standout headline, while Thomas Tuchel favourite Noni Madueke gets the nod in attack with Bukayo Saka only fit enough for the bench.
New Barcelona signing Anthony Gordon is also in support of captain Harry Kane.
Declan Rice starts alongside Elliot Anderson in a familiar-looking midfield engine room.
Reece James and Nico O’Reilly get the nod at full-back, with Ezri Konsa partnering John Stones in central defence. Jordan Pickford is in goal.
What do we make of that then?
New kick-off time confirmed
Wednesday 10 June 2026 20:43 , George Flood
As anticipated, England have now provided official confirmation that the game will kick-off an hour late at 10pm BST.
That is, however, provided there is no more lightning detected in the area between now and then.
If there is, then that 30-minute timer we discussed earlier will reset and we will be looking at further long delays and surely potential cancellation.
Fingers crossed it holds off.
Following a pitch inspection at the stadium, today’s match against Costa Rica will now kick off at 10pm (UK time) – subject to there being no further lightning strikes in the area.
— England (@England) June 10, 2026
Thank you for your patience. https://t.co/nEDeoFegF9
Wednesday 10 June 2026 20:35 , George Flood
The England squad have arrived at the stadium and the weather is much brighter now.
We should be getting an official announcement on the revised kick-off time at any moment.
It is being widely reported that the game will begin at 10pm BST, 5pm local time.
It is remarkable how quickly the pitch has drained of all that water.
Credit to the ground staff, who have been out there with the blowers.
Wednesday 10 June 2026 20:26 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reports
The delayed kick-off is a clear disruption to England's carefully scheduled timetable in their World Cup preparations, but playing on a dangerously wet pitch and picking up a raft of injuries on the eve of the tournament would be far more disruptive.
Understandably, they are going to be cautious as they plot a revised kick-off time for a game that does, at the moment at least, appear to still be going ahead tonight.
England team confirmed
Wednesday 10 June 2026 20:21 , George Flood
In another good sign for this game getting the eventual go-ahead, England have now released their team sheet...
England XI to face Costa Rica: Pickford, James, Konsa, Stones, O'Reilly, Anderson, Rice, Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon, Kane
Pitch inspection taking place
Wednesday 10 June 2026 20:17 , George Flood
It sounds like we will thankfully avoid a complete cancellation this evening.
The conditions are easing, fans are being allowed back into the stadium and the waterlogged pitch is draining quickly.
However, it is still raining in Orlando and any more lightning will lead to that aforementioned 30-minute clock resetting.
A pitch inspection is currently taking place, with suggestions that the delay will last for around an hour.
We could therefore be looking at a 10pm BST kick-off time, which is 5pm local time.
That isn’t official yet, however.
England fans taking shelter
Wednesday 10 June 2026 20:06 , George Flood
England fans have been taking shelter wherever they can amid the storms in Orlando, including in a local library.
Kick-off delayed
Wednesday 10 June 2026 19:46 , George Flood
Confirmation now from England that the game has indeed been delayed.
That was inevitable as there has been more lightning in the area, let alone the sorry state of the pitch.
No revised kick-off time has been communicated yet.
This has shades of England’s World Cup warm-up game against Honduras in 2014, which was delayed by 40 minutes due to an electrical thunderstorm in Miami.
An update on today's game against Costa Rica: pic.twitter.com/7wDYB72jua
— England (@England) June 10, 2026
Wednesday 10 June 2026 19:43 , George Flood
More pictures from Inter&Co Stadium, where so much of the pitch looks totally submerged.
There is surely no way this game can kick-off at 9pm BST as scheduled.
We’ve had no announcement over any delay or postponement yet, but we will keep you updated.
Kick-off could be delayed
Wednesday 10 June 2026 19:28 , George Flood
Here’s another look at the atrocious weather conditions in Orlando and impact on a worsening waterlogged pitch, courtesy of BBC commentator Ian Dennis.
If there is more lightning in the next 20 minutes, then kick-off will be affected.
More water than grass… teams will arrive as normal. Each thunder strike means the stadium can’t be opened for at least 30 minutes and we’ve just had a real crack!! Anymore after 2.45pm local time will impact KO. Told the water will clear quickly… 👀 pic.twitter.com/qHzVXPttxS
— Ian Dennis (@Iandennisbbc) June 10, 2026
Pitch waterlogged as storms batter Orlando
Wednesday 10 June 2026 19:25 , George Flood
The pitch at Inter&Co Stadium is looking heavily waterlogged in several areas amid today’s ongoing torrential downpours, including in one of the goalmouths.
The longer this storm rages, with lightning in the skies, the more questions will be asked if this game can actually go ahead.
The Press Association’s Simon Peach in Orlando reports that there is “confidence” the surface will be playable as things stand.
It really doesn’t look good, though. Kick-off in 90 minutes looks a very tall order indeed.
Made a run for Inter&Co Stadium. Pitch doesn’t look good but there’s confidence it’ll be playable. Quite whether England v Costa Rica kicks off as planned in 1hr45min is another matter due to the ongoing storm pic.twitter.com/ATWB49EJ49
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) June 10, 2026
World Cup lightning protocol explained
Wednesday 10 June 2026 19:18 , George Flood
Seasonal summer storms are likely to cause significant disruption at a number of games at the first expanded 48-team World Cup, where 104 matches will be played in total.
Several fixtures were impacted at last year’s inaugural summer Club World Cup that was hosted by the United States, including eventual winners Chelsea’s last-16 tie against Benfica in Charlotte, North Carolina, which took over four hours to complete after a weather delay lasting for almost two hours.
Current US protocol on thunderstorms at outdoor sporting events dictates that if lightning or electrical discharge is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium, then the match in question must be immediately suspended.
Players will return to the changing rooms and fans told to evacuate the stands and seek safe shelter.
A 30-minute timer will then begin, during which time there can be no further lightning within that aforementioned eight-mile radius.
If there is, then the clock is reset each time until there has been a clear 30-minute period without it.
Only then will the game be deemed safe to resume.
Orlando storm could disrupt England vs Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 18:58 , George Flood
The weather could pose a real issue with regards to today’s game.
Thunderstorms were forecast in Orlando this afternoon and have duly been raging in recent hours, with thundery downpours across the city.
Lightning is forecast for close to kick-off, which is currently scheduled for 3pm local time.
If that is the case, then the match would have to be delayed, per the current US protocol on extreme weather conditions during outdoor sporting events that we saw enforced plenty at last summer’s Club World Cup.
Fans at Inter&Co Stadium have already been advised to seek shelter with an ‘inclement weather’ warning flashed up on the scoreboard.
England vs Costa Rica prediction
Wednesday 10 June 2026 18:47 , George Flood
England seemed somewhat laboured against New Zealand, and will hope to be rather more free-scoring as they look to build momentum ahead of the World Cup.
That should theoretically be the case today. This Costa Rica side is dearly lacking in top-flight talent, with no members of their current squad playing in any of Europe’s top five leagues.
Facing a lower-quality team, the Three Lions should have no problem banging in a few goals as they look to send a statement of intent to their World Cup rivals.
England to win, 3-0.
Costa Rica team news
Wednesday 10 June 2026 18:42 , George Flood
There is no Joel Campbell for Costa Rica tonight, with the former Arsenal winger - who with 150 senior appearances is his country’s second-most capped player of all time, behind only Celso Borges - not part of the latest squad picked by new head coach Fernando Batista.
Ex-Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas, meanwhile, retired from international football in 2024.
Hearts forward Kenneth Vargas, Warren Madrigal and Alejandro Bran were all dropped ahead of the friendly double-header against Colombia and England for disciplinary reasons.
Eight of the current 23-man squad ply their club trade in Europe, including Spartak Moscow striker Manfred Ugalde.
15 play domestically in Costa Rica.
England team news
Wednesday 10 June 2026 18:33 , George Flood
As mentioned, Thomas Tuchel fielded a different England XI in each half against New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday, with a player who isn’t even in his World Cup squad capturing the headlines - not to mention man-of-the-match honours - in the form of Liverpool’s teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha.
We are expected to see a starting lineup tonight that more closely resembles the one that will be picked for next Wednesday’s World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas, with that team set to be given a longer run-out in the Orlando heat rather than all being withdrawn at the break.
England’s Arsenal contingent - Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze - all joined up with the squad earlier this week after a short break post-Champions League final, though it would be a surprise to see any of them start here.
Especially Saka, who Tuchel admitted yesterday had been playing through the pain barrier during Arsenal’s Premier League title run-in and still not fully shaken off a lingering Achilles injury.
However, he has trained since arriving in Florida.
How to watch England vs Costa Rica
Wednesday 10 June 2026 18:24 , George Flood
TV channel: In the UK, England vs Costa Rica is being shown live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 8pm BST.
Live stream: You can also watch the game live online via the ITVX app and website, which is free with a sign-up.
England vs Costa Rica live
Wednesday 10 June 2026 18:21 , George Flood
Good evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of England vs Costa Rica.
The Three Lions play their final warm-up friendly today ahead of the World Cup amid the searing heat in Orlando.
After two different XIs defeated New Zealand 1-0 in Tampa on Saturday thanks to captain Harry Kane’s late first-half header, Thomas Tuchel will be eager for a more settled side to deliver a more emphatic statement ahead of next week’s Group L opener against Croatia.
Kick-off at Inter&Co Stadium - home of MLS side Orlando City - is at 9pm BST, so stay tuned for match build-up, team news and live updates throughout the night, including expert insight and analysis from England correspondent Dom Smith.
