Heat advisory hangs over England-Norway World Cup quarterfinal

England and Norway are set for a World Cup quarterfinal in south Florida with extreme heat and humidity looming over the match. Al Jazeera reported that the winner will move on to face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semifinals.

The game is scheduled for a 5pm local kickoff in Miami, or 21:00 GMT, according to Al Jazeera. The US National Weather Service has Miami under a heat advisory, with apparent temperatures forecast to rise above 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken said his squad had adjusted its preparation because of the conditions after training in Miami for three days. “We have trained very lightly. We haven’t done much hard work. We are with the tactical sessions, but in a lower tempo and not trained for long periods. So it’s all about being fresh tomorrow,” Solbakken said, according to Al Jazeera.

Solbakken said both teams would need to get “used to the same conditions,” Al Jazeera reported. The weather adds another variable to a match already framed around two of Europe’s leading strikers.

Harry Kane has powered England’s run to the last eight, according to Al Jazeera. The Bayern Munich forward has scored six goals at the tournament and was central to England’s 3-2 win over Mexico in the round of 16 at Estadio Azteca, a match Al Jazeera described as attritional and one England finished after having a player sent off.

Norway arrive with Erling Haaland in prolific form. Al Jazeera reported that Haaland has scored seven goals since Norway began its campaign in the United States, helping carry the team further than it has gone before at a World Cup.

Norway’s tournament run has also included eliminating Brazil, according to Al Jazeera. The team’s supporters have marked the campaign with a rowing celebration that Al Jazeera said has turned stadiums across the United States into scenes resembling human Viking ships.

Al Jazeera said lineups had not yet been announced in its pre-match coverage. The broadcaster listed commentary, team news, statistics and standings among its match coverage features.

The quarterfinal places a sharp focus on endurance as well as finishing. With Kane and Haaland both in scoring form, the heat in Miami may be one of the few factors capable of slowing the pace.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.