England players have their last chance to impress Thomas Tuchel when they face Costa Rica in a friendly tonight.
The 1-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday did little to inspire the Three Lions fans, who will hope to get more encouragement from the 9pm kick-off in Orlando.
Tuchel has confirmed an injury worry in the build-up to the match, with Bukayo Saka struggling with an Achilles complaint. The winger is a doubt for the Costa Rica game, but his Arsenal team-mates Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke are fully fit.
The England manager will start with a strong line-up tonight, with the XI close to the one which will take on Croatia in their first Group L fixture on June 17. Follow all the latest with Mirror Football here.
New UpdatesToday19:11 BST
Worth noting the lightning situation too. Each strike will delay the opening of the stadium. So any more by 19.45 UK time and the kick-off will be impacted.
Scott TrotterToday19:09 BST
Our reporter on the ground, John Cross, has already noted as much, but things are looking very wet in Florida today. The pitch is taking an absolute battering with rain falling from the heavens.
It’s been suggested it could be in for another hour. Grounds staff will have their work cut out.
Heavy rain falls(Image: Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
According to some reports, it will be Jude Bellingham over Morgan Rogers to start this evening’s match. That will be an intriguing battle heading into this tournament.
The Aston Villa star has been much-trusted in the last 12 months when Bellingham has been out due to injury.
Time for Bellingham to show his class this evening.
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Greetings from Orlando!
And, to make England feel at home, here’s the weather outside the stadium…
England v Costa Rica kicks off in just over two and a half hours.
The weather has been a mix of humidity, searing heat, rain, rumours of earthquakes (I’ve not felt the earth move once) and storms like this…
Currently taking shelter near the stadium
And there’s just been some lightning…
Now, if you’re not familiar… whenever there is lightning, the players are taken off the pitch until you get at least 30 minutes of clear weather with no lightning within a ten-mile radius.
An “Inclement Weather” warning is displayed on screen prior to England’s match(Image: Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham is a man who will want to impress tonight after being warned he must fight to earn his place in the England starting XI.
“Well, we have a lot of proof we can win football matches without Jude and that’s the more important headline. Jude is with us,” Thomas Tuchel said yesterday.
“Jude is in amazing form but we have to stop talking about individuals. Jude is in a sweet spot. But Jude will not win this World Cup alone. It’s simply impossible.”
The Real Madrid midfielder is in competition with Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the No.10 position. It will be one of the key talking points after tonight’s friendly.
Jude Bellingham is among England’s stars ahead of the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka has emerged as England’s only injury concern leading into the World Cup.
“Bukayo is just not there yet. Some things are missing, consecutive training. They took very good care of him and were very aware of it at Arsenal, and we will do a little bit the same,” Thomas Tuchel said in a press conference.
“He is available for tomorrow, but he needs management to be fully, fully 100 per cent, which he is not. I think it is very unlikely Bukayo starts and finishes all the matches from now on.”
Bukayo Saka is carrying a slight Achilles issue(Image: Getty Images)
And welcome to Mirror Football’s coverage of England’s friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando.
We have our chief football reporter John Cross at the stadium in Florida and will bring you all you need to know.