England’s pre-World Cup friendly against Costa Rica was delayed due to adverse weather conditions (Image: (Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
Here is everything you need to know about what happened on a very busy day before the World Cup kicks off
- Infantino’s bizzare “chill” remark: In his first public address in three years, FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged critics to “chill and relax” regarding Somali referee Omar Artan being barred from entering the United States for the tournament.
- Support for Iran: Infantino also addressed visa and travel complications surrounding the Iranian national team, revealing that he had previously promised the squad they would make it to the tournament, even if he personally had to drive their team bus from Tehran to the U.S.
- Trump World Cup-opener absence: U.S President Donald Trump is reportedly not planning to be at USA vs Paraguay on Friday. On the same day, walk-throughs of the weekend’s UFC event will be taking place with a decision to be made on whether or not Trump will be in attendance.
- Weather chaos for England: Final World Cup preparations for Thomas Tuchel were heavily impacted on Wednesday with their friendly against Costa Rica delayed for an hour following a huge thunderstorm in Orlando.
- Routine win for Three Lions: Once proceedings got underway, there was only ever going to be one winner with Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins on target for England.