England fans baffled by what they did to pitch after huge thunderstorm delayed match with Costa Rica

A heavy thunderstorm in Orlando delayed England’s last World Cup warm-up match against Costa Rica by 60 minutes.

The Lions had to wait an hour before a ball was kicked as the storm battered the field at the Inter&Co Stadium on Wednesday night (10 June).

"We were aware of that before - now we experience it," Thomas Tuchel told ITV before the match.

"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."

And he was right, as England came up comfortable 3-0 winners with goals from Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins.

But one thing some fans couldn’t get over was why Orlando still watered the pitch following the weather delay.

Taking to X, one user wrote: “This isn't AI. Orlando genuinely turned the sprinklers on after a weather delay caused by torrential rain.”

Americans were happy to offer an explanation, as well as a dig or two, in the comments.

“Because the drainage system that you all were concerned didn't exist drained out all the water. It's Florida and the grass needs to be replenished with water or it'll die. I know that's a hard concept for you muppets to understand,” one person penned.

This isn't AI. Orlando genuinely turned the sprinklers on after a weather delay caused by torrential rain. 😂🌧️ pic.twitter.com/qEhS3keRfl

— Football Away Days Club (@AwayDaysClub_) June 10, 2026

“When grass is completely drained by a vacuum system, it becomes sticky and creates high traction. If a player's cleats catch too firmly in the dry turf during a sudden turn, it drastically increases the risk of severe injury. Man with these English you can't win for losing,” another added.

“British fans who have spent the last several days bemoaning American pitches being bad/causing injuries are now upset a pitch is being treated to prevent injury what a world,” a third said.

“Imagine being a soccer account and not knowing the teams want the water on the field prior to a match,” someone else wrote.

Let’s see if they bring that same energy on the pitch, as the USA take on Paraguay on Saturday, with England kicking off their campaign against Croatia on Wednesday.

"I think we set the tone today in the meeting and the players were ready to follow, to have the next step in intensity and the way we play, to push ourselves and get a good feeling out of it, which we absolutely did,” Tuchel added after the game.

"I felt today the energy in the stadium was amazing and I thought 'OK, if we can really play like this and grow into the tournament and have this kind of cohesion and brotherhood and team spirit that we showed today, then we will have an amazing connection with the fans'.

"This will hopefully be an amazing experience because it's the first time for me and it's a World Cup, and it's coming.

“I think once the ball is rolling and games are already there, then I will feel it, and the latest in Kansas when we prepare then the official match.

“The tension will grow but normally the stuff that I personally enjoy the most, then you feel that you're alive.”

The first game of the World Cup 2026 is today, featuring host nation Mexico vs South Africa.