“Following a pitch inspection at the stadium, today’s match against Costa Rica will now kick off at 10pm (UK time) – subject to there being no further lightning strikes in the area,” England’s national team announced on social media.

The matchup between England and Costa Rica was originally scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET (9 p.m. UK). As a result of the pouring thunderstorm that caused the delay, the start time has now been pushed back an hour. Still, it’s all subject to change as inclement weather could become present at any given moment and further complicate things.

Due to U.S. regulations and FIFA protocols, if lightning is detected within roughly 8 miles of the stadium, a mandatory shelter-in-place order is implemented. All players and fans must leave their seats and seek shelter until the danger has passed. There is a 30-minute countdown that resets whenever new lightning is detected.

Weather forecast

Considering it’s only a friendly and the 2026 World Cup is right around the corner, there was reason to believe the match could’ve been called off if the weather didn’t improve.

However, these kinds of summer storms are quite common in the Sunshine State, meaning there was a good chance the skies would clear, the pitch drained properly, and the Three Lions and Los Ticos could play their international friendly in Orlando. As it stands, that’s exactly what happened and the game is set to kickoff at 5:00 p.m. ET.

According to the U.S. National Weather Service, though, a flood warning remained in effect until roughly 4:00 p.m. ET. Thus, it was clear the match was never going to start on the original time set.

England’s last game before World Cup

Once the international friendly comes to an end, England will turn its focus entirely to the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions will make their long-awaited debut against Croatia on June 17 at 4:00 p.m. ET in Arlington, Texas. Considering the venue has a roof, there shouldn’t be much reason for concern about a weather-related delay.

Costa Rica failed to qualify for this year’s tournament, and the fans on hand quickly saw why. Los Ticos struggled to generate any meaningful attacking threats and allowed the Three Lions to dictate the tempo entirely from the opening whistle. At this point, Costa Rica‘s focus must completely shift toward rebuilding for the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle as they aim to return to soccer’s biggest stage.

In the CONCACAF qualifiers, Costa Rica experienced bittersweet moments. The team advanced to the third round with a flawless 4-0-0 record, but things quickly fell apart afterward.

Grouped with Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua, Costa Rica failed to dominate as expected, managing just seven points out of a possible 18. Finishing third, the nation missed out on the intercontinental playoffs entirely.

Haiti surprised many by advancing directly as group leaders. Suriname and Jamaica claimed the playoff spots but suffered elimination, allowing DR Congo and Iraq to advance to the World Cup.

Costa Rica is not the same since Brazil 2014

Costa Rica has participated in six World Cups, with Brazil 2014 remaining its finest campaign. That year, the team reached the quarterfinals for the first time ever, eventually losing to the Netherlands on penalties.

Unfortunately, Costa Rica struggled to transition from that golden generation. The 2026 qualifiers exposed these depth issues, as the nation failed to qualify despite an expanded field and the automatic qualification of Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Miguel Herrera managed Costa Rica during the qualifying process. The Mexican coach faced heavy criticism for failing to advance from a favorable group, though he maintained that a lack of top-tier talent hampered his ability to build a competitive squad

Costa Rica is now focusing on a long-term rebuild for the 2030 World Cup. The federation recognizes that a massive generational shift is required to maintain its status as a top contender in the CONCACAF region.

How to watch England vs Costa Rica in the USA

Fans will have several ways to follow this highly anticipated showdown. Coverage will air live on FS2, while streaming options include Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, and ViX.

No matter which platform they choose, viewers can watch every key sequence, game-changing swing, and thrilling conclusion unfold live from start to finish as the action plays out.

Can I watch England vs Costa Rica for free?

Fans in the United States can catch this marquee showdown live through Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV, each providing access to the network airing the match across the country.

First-time subscribers can also stream without paying upfront by using available free trial offers, including five days from Fubo and DirecTV Stream and a three-day trial from Hulu + Live TV.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

England’s World Cup opener is just around the corner, and the Three Lions remain among the favorites to make a deep run behind a talented squad led by Harry Kane. Follow England vs Costa Rica live with us for minute-by-minute coverage and updates!

In their final tune-up, England will meet a Costa Rica side looking to move forward after missing out on World Cup qualification despite the absence of regional powers the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

For Costa Rica, this clash with one of Europe’s top sides provides a valuable opportunity to begin building toward the future as the Ticos will not play at the 2026 World Cup.

England vs Costa Rica: Predicted Lineups

England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.

Costa Rica (4-2-3-1): Sequeira; Quiros, Mitchell, Faerron, Araya; Salazar, Flores; Mora, Soto, Alcocer; Ugalde.

What time is the England vs Costa Rica match?

The match scheduled for today, June 10, was set to kick off at 4:00 PM (ET), but kickoff was delayed due to weather conditions in Orlando. England confirmed on social media that the game will start at 5:00 PM (ET).

As reported by Vanguardia, the decision was made entirely by national team manager Fernando Batista and was unrelated to any potential injury concerns surrounding Navas. The three-time UEFA Champions League champion won’t even be on the substitutes’ bench, as Navas was not included in Costa Rica‘s squad for the upcoming friendlies.

Batista subtly hinted that his decision had to do with his project’s goal of identifying the next leaders of Costa Rica’s national team. As big of a legend as he is for Costa Rican soccer, Navas—who will turn 40 on December 15—may no longer fit that profile.

Moreover, with Costa Rica not preparing for the 2026 World Cup or any other major competition in the near future, rotation may be a wise decision. Who knows? Maybe Batista will discover Los Ticos’ next big thing during the exhibition showdown against Los Cafeteros.

Who will be replacing Navas?

Taking over the job in between the three posts, which is typically occupied by Navas, will be netminder Patrick Sequeira. Against Colombia, Sequeira will be making his 19th appearance with the national team, according to Transfermarkt.

Sequeira is 27 years old and currently plays for Casa Pia in Portugal. His team just barely survived relegation from Primeira Liga during the 2025-26 season as they finished 16 in the league standings (18 clubs with two relegations). Through 29 outings in the domestic league, Sequeira allowed 45 goals and registered 7 clean sheets.

Upcoming friendly for Costa Rica

Following the friendly game against Colombia in Bogota, Costa Rica—without Navas—will travel to the United States for their last international friendly. On June 10, Los Ticos will take on England at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Rodriguez is reportedly not starting because manager Nestor Lorenzo is managing his fitness and rhythm due to Rodriguez being a free agent, so his physical shape must be treated carefully. James could perfectly play in the second half.

This is a classic tune-up friendly to say goodbye to Colombian fans with a big win. Also, is a morale-lifting result the one that they are seeking. Hence, it should be a party today as Colombia play Costa Rica at a capacity crowd. Follow the play-by-play of Colombia vs Costa Rica LIVE with Bolavip.

Colombia’s official lineup for friendly vs. Costa Rica

Camilo Vargas will start in goal, with Santiago Arias, Davinson Sanchez, Willer Ditta, and Johan Mojica as the back four. Gustavo Puerta and Richard Rios will play as the holding midfielders, while Jorge Carrascal, Luis Diaz, and Carlos Andres Gomez as the attacking midfielders, with Juan Camilo Hernandez up front.

Hence, Carlos Andres Gomez is the one taking what would’ve been James Rodriguez’s spot. While it might not be the best team Colombia could put, it’s still a strong team to put against a Costa Rica team that is not even in the World Cup.

How many international caps does James Rodriguez have for Colombia?

James Rodriguez has 124 international games for Colombia. He is the second-most capped player in Colombia’s history. Only goalkeeper David Ospina has more caps for the country. Colombia are a dark horse contender for the 2026 World Cup.

Rodriguez has accumulated 31 goals and 41 assists over his 124 international appearances, bringing his career total to 72 direct goal contributions for his country, one of the most productive players in Colombia’s history.

Costa Rica managed to respond before halftime through Andrey Soto, who finished off a well-worked team move to cut the deficit to one goal. The visitors enjoyed some positive moments after the break and attempted to push their lines higher in search of an equalizer, but struggled to create clear scoring opportunities.

In the second half, Colombia introduced several substitutes, including James Rodriguez, who made an immediate impact on the game. The veteran playmaker delivered a precise through ball to Luis Suarez, who finished powerfully from a tight angle to seal the 3-1 victory and complete a successful evening for the hosts in Bogota.

How to watch Colombia vs Costa Rica in the USA

Fans eager to watch this highly anticipated matchup live will have two streaming options available. The game will be carried by Fubo PPV and Fanatiz PPV, making it easy to tune in from nearly anywhere.

Both services will deliver live coverage of the featured matchup, ensuring viewers can follow all the biggest moments, pivotal sequences, and late-game drama as it unfolds.

Can I watch Colombia vs Costa Rica for free?

Fans in the United States can catch this marquee showdown live through Fubo, which provides access to the network airing the match across the country.

Although Fubo often offers a 5-day free trial to first-time subscribers, that option will not apply to this event. As a result, viewers in the USA currently do not have a free live-streaming alternative for the game. Follow our live coverage of Colombia vs Costa Rica for updates!

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

With the FIFA World Cup approaching, Colombia will use this friendly to sharpen a squad expected to contend on the sport’s biggest stage. The Copa America runners-up enter with plenty of confidence and will look to build momentum before the tournament begins.

Costa Rica, one of the surprises of the CONCACAF qualifiers, faces a major test against a South American powerhouse as the Ticos continue evaluating and developing their group ahead of future international challenges. Therefore, both Colombia and Costa Rica are expected to field strong lineups.

What time is the Colombia vs Costa Rica match?

The match kicks off today, June 1, at 7:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 7:00 PM
Central Time: 6:00 PM
Mountain Time: 5:00 PM
Pacific Time: 4:00 PM

For Colombia, this is a must-win game. They can’t allow themselves to not look good on home soil against a Costa Rica team that is not even qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Colombia must win, and do it comfortably.

Costa Rica are in arguably their worst time in terms of soccer form since 1990. They failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2010. However, back then it was a 32-team tournament.

Colombia’s lineup vs Costa Rica today

Colombia’s confirmed lineup: Camilo Vargas; Santiago Arias, Dávinson Sánchez, Willer Ditta, Johan Mojica; Gustavo Puerta, Richard Rios, Jorge Carrascal; Luis Diaz, Carlos Andres Gomez, Juan Camilo Hernandez.

James Rodriguez is starting on the bench today, so there’s a chance he comes on for the second half. With the World Cup right around the corner, Colombia are managing his workload carefully.

Costa Rica’s lineup vs Colombia

Fernando Batista has only two games as Costa Rica’s manager and is looking for his first victory. While this is a very tough test, he will have to try and put up a fight without three of the team’s main cast. Midfielder Alejandro Bran, and forwards Kenneth Vargas and Warren Madrigal were sidelined from the team due to disciplinary actions.

Costa Rica’s lineup: Patrick Sequeira; Haxzel Quirós, Jeyland Mitchell, Aaron Salazar, Fernan Faerron, Darril Araya; Carlos Mora, Orlando Galo, Andrey Soto, Josimar Alcócer; Manfred Ugalde.

There are already 42 teams directly qualified for the upcoming World Cup. On Tuesday morning, UEFA determined its first 12 qualified teams, while later that night it was Concacaf’s turn to wrap up its qualifiers.

With a new format due to the World Cup’s expansion to 48 teams, Concacaf had three direct tickets to the tournament (plus the host nations Canada, Mexico, and the United States) and two additional spots for the inter-confederation playoff.

Will Honduras, Costa Rica, and Jamaica play the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The Concacaf Qualifiers for the next World Cup surprised everyone. Panama, Curacao, and Haiti have advanced directly to the international competition, with Curacao making their debut in the tournament and Haiti qualifying for the second time.

The biggest surprises were related to Costa Rica, Honduras, and Jamaica. Costa Rica and Honduras have been completely eliminated from contention, while Jamaica still has a small chance of making it.

Costa Rica finished third in Group C behind Haiti and Honduras. La Sele was unable to dominate as expected, with Mexican coach Miguel Herrera facing heavy criticism over the team’s poor performance.

Honduras held their fate in their own hands but were unable to defeat Costa Rica. Even though they finished with the same points and goal difference as Suriname, the latter scored more goals—this became the decisive factor for Suriname to claim the better second-place spot.

As for Jamaica, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. While they were unable to secure direct qualification, they finished as one of the two best second-place teams across the three groups, earning a place in the inter-confederation playoff with Suriname.

The pre-match scenario was complex. Costa Rica needed a victory and had to surpass rivals in the other groups on goal differential to secure a spot in the play-offs. Honduras, meanwhile, were hoping to secure the final playoff place.

However, little action occurred in the Estadio Nacional, and the match ended in a 0-0 draw, that proved fatal for Honduras. Suriname ultimately claimed the final playoff spot, finishing with the same point total as Honduras, but securing the advantage based on having scored nine goals throughout the qualifiers compared to only five from Honduras.

In the final reckoning, Panama, Curacao, and Haiti achieved direct qualification, while Suriname and Jamaica earned the right to contest the play-offs for a chance to enter the prestigious tournament.