HEAVY RAIN THREATENS OSLO WORLD CUP WATCH PARTIES BEFORE NORWAY-ENGLAND MATCH

Heavy rain and thunderstorms could disrupt outdoor World Cup watch parties in Oslo before Norway faces England in the men's World Cup quarterfinal, according to Reuters. The match is scheduled for Saturday night in Miami, while large public gatherings in Norway have been planned around the national team's first men's World Cup campaign since 1998.

Reuters reported that Norway's five matches so far have drawn tens of thousands of fans into streets and squares to watch together, with the team's run becoming one of the country's largest recent sporting events. The quarterfinal against England is Norway's biggest men's World Cup match in decades and follows a tournament run that has produced widespread public celebrations.

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute issued a yellow weather warning Friday morning for southeastern Norway, according to Reuters. The agency said locally heavy rain showers with thunder were expected Saturday afternoon and early evening, with some areas possibly receiving more than 20 millimeters of rain in one hour.

The weather agency warned of stormwater in densely populated areas, water entering basements, local flooding, changes in streams and river courses, landslides and flash floods where the heaviest showers occur, according to Reuters. Those risks are especially relevant for outdoor viewing events, where large crowds may gather in public squares, parks, streets and temporary fan zones.

Reuters reported that organizers and authorities were reviewing arrangements for public watch events after the warning was issued. The rain is expected to test Norway's common weather saying that there is no bad weather, only bad clothing, as fans decide whether to remain outdoors for pre-match gatherings and public viewing events.

The timing may reduce some disruption. Reuters reported that the rain is expected to stop around 8 p.m. local time, about three hours before the match kicks off in Miami at 11 p.m. in Norway. If the forecast holds, the heaviest weather could affect pre-match gatherings more than the match viewing itself.

The match in Miami also carries weather concerns of its own. Wired reported that scientists warned the England-Norway quarterfinal could be played under significant heat stress because of South Florida heat, humidity and Saharan dust, with heat conditions posing risks for players and spectators.

The immediate questions are whether Oslo's public viewing areas remain open, whether heavy rain causes localized flooding, and whether Miami weather affects the match itself. Authorities in Norway are expected to monitor the warning through Saturday as fans prepare for the quarterfinal.

Fact-check date: 10 July 2026
Article type: News
Sources: Reuters, Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Wired