Heat and humidity make World Cup quarterfinal challenge for Norway, England even tougher

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Carla Gregory was fighting the heat even before watching the World Cup quarterfinal between England and Norway on Saturday.

She carried cold water in one hand. She had an unfolded fan in the other, flapping it with hopes of creating her own little breeze. And the elements seemed to be winning; no matter what she tried, the England fan was still, at best, uncomfortable.

“I can’t imagine playing 90 minutes in it,” said Gregory, who came to the U.S. with her husband from their home in Telford, England to follow their team through the World Cup.

Norway had Harry Kane to worry about. England had Erling Haaland to worry about. And both sides — in what has been a theme for this World Cup — had the weather to worry about. It was 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 Celsius) when the teams started warmups Saturday, and with the humidity factored in it felt like 104 F (40 C).

That's a far cry from the seasonable 72 F (22 C) in London or 59 F (15 C) in Lillehammer at that time.

“I think we have trained very lightly,” Norway manager Ståle Solbakken said on the eve of the match. “We haven’t done much hard work. We obviously have tactical sessions, but at a lower tempo and have not trained for long periods.”

In other words, rest and hydration took precedence for Norway — which spent much of the week in South Florida to acclimate. England didn't arrive in the Miami area until later in the week.

“Up until now we’ve played in cool conditions, I would say,” England defender Nico O'Reilly said. “But we’re ready for it.”

After England beat Norway 2-1 to advance to the semifinals, coach Thomas Tuchel said several players were dealing with cramping.

This wasn't England's first trip to South Florida on its World Cup journey. The team arrived in Palm Beach Gardens — about 90 minutes north of Miami Gardens — on June 2 for more than a week of training and to get a feel for the heat and humidity.

England also had to adjust to high temperatures at its Kansas City base camp, and survive Mexico’s altitude to beat the co-host in the round of 16, but hadn't faced anything like the combination of heat and humidity that greeted the teams Saturday.

Tuchel praised his team's ability to overcome adversity and reach the semifinals. He was asked if his squad will physically be able to handle two more matches.

“They have to,” he said. “Now it's just about recovery. ... We will be ready.”

Gracie Fisher is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here.

Fans wait for the beginning of during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Norway and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

A spectator fan herself before the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Norway and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

A fan of Norway waits for the beginning of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Norway and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Norway fans on the stands wait for the start of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Norway and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Spectators fan themselves before the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Norway and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 26, 2026--

Subway ® Canada is launching its first-ever Fresh For Less Menu on August 26, featuring breakfast, snack, lunch and side options available for under $5 each. From the NEW limited-time Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Snackwich and NEW Turkey Caesar Snackwich to Breakfast Ciabatta Sandwiches, NEW Doritos ® Sweet Chili Heat! ® Footlong Nachos, Fiesta Beans & Corn Salad and Mini Cookies, the Fresh For Less Menu gives guests more ways to choose different items that fit their appetites, routines and budgets.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260826977719/en/

Subway Canada commissioned its inaugural State of Lunch Report to find out about Canadians lunch habits in a time where food prices are on the rise. Research revealed that 85% of employed Canadians say it is harder to find fresh lunch options at a price they feel comfortable paying, reinforcing the need for affordable, freshly prepared choices that do not compromise on quality or flavour. The survey findings point to the “Lunch Squeeze,” where Canadians continue to view lunch as important but are increasingly balancing affordability, freshness, quality and convenience when deciding what, and whether, to eat.

“The newly launched Fresh For Less Menu gives Canadians greater choice and flexibility, with options under $5 that they can mix and match throughout the day,” said Denny Downie, Managing Director and Head of Marketing at Subway Canada. “Our State of Lunch Report found that lunch is an important part of the workday for Canadians, but rising food costs are making it harder to find the freshness and quality they want at a comfortable price. The Fresh For Less Menu brings those priorities together, without asking Canadians to settle on flavour, quality or variety.”

The full roster of the Fresh For Less Menu includes:

Snackwiches: Served on warm ciabatta bread, Snackwiches are perfect for an on-the-go option with flavour-packed combinations.

Breakfast Ciabatta Sandwiches: Kickstart your morning with build-your-own Breakfast Sandwiches, all customizable with various sauces and veggies served on warm ciabatta bread.

Sides & Snacks: Whether you're looking for a quick bite between meals or the perfect addition to your order, Subway’s snacks and sides deliver satisfying flavours and convenient options for everyone.

*The Meatball Marinara Protein Cup is not available in Quebec.

Subway Canada’s inaugural State of Lunch Report explored how rising food costs, busy schedules and changing routines are influencing Canadians’ midday meals. The research found:

Freshly prepared per order. At participating Canadian restaurants. Check your app for pricing and participating stores. Add-ons addt'l. Plus tax. Addt'l fees apply on delivery orders. Cannot combine with other offers. Limited time.

To learn more about the Fresh For Less Menu or find a participating Subway restaurant, visit Subway.com or follow @SubwayCanada.

About Subway ® Restaurants Canada

With nearly 3,000 restaurants nationwide, Subway Canada is dedicated to serving freshly made sandwiches at great value to millions of guests. Subway restaurants are owned and operated by a network of passionate franchisees committed to delivering a high-quality, convenient guest experience and contributing positively to their local communities.

Subway ® is a globally registered trademark of Subway IP LLC or one of its affiliates. © 2026 Subway.

About the State of Lunch Report

This survey was undertaken by Subway and conducted online by The Harris Poll Canada in August 2026.

The results have been weighted by age, region, and education (and in Quebec, language) to match the population, according to Census data. This is to ensure the sample is representative of the Canadian workforce population.

New national research from Subway Canada reveals the "Lunch Squeeze," with rising food costs forcing Canadians to make trade-offs on freshness, quality and convenience when choosing their midday meal.

Subway Canada’s new Fresh for Less Menu features a variety of options available for under $5 each, including the NEW Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Snackwich and NEW Turkey Caesar Snackwich.