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.

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," manager 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.

Another added: "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."

A third said: "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."

Someone else wrote: "Imagine being a soccer account and not knowing the teams want the water on the field prior to a match."

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.

New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026

This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalise players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.

10-second substitution

Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.

5-second throw-ins and goal kicks

If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.

Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute

An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.

More VAR

VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.

Players can’t cover their mouths

Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.

Red cards for players leaving the pitch

Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.