Millions of football fans will watch World Cup game on day forecasters say could be hottest of 2018

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

England fever is expected to reach levels unseen since at least 2006 when it last competed in a World Cup quarter-final, with temperatures expected to hit 33C in the south-east on Saturday afternoon.

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As millions assemble to cheer on Gareth Southgate’s team in pubs, homes and parks across the country as they take on Sweden, it could be the hottest day of 2018.

Porthmadog in Wales hold the record for the hottest spot in the UK this year, reaching 33C exactly on 28 June, but this weekend the thermometer could edge just above it.

Thirty million people are reportedly likely to be watching the game at 3pm on Saturday.

The Met Office said temperatures in London and the south-east were likely to reach 31C and 32C, with isolated weather stations potentially reaching 33C on Saturday and possibly Sunday.

Everywhere across the south will enjoy temperatures in the high 20s and even low 30s, but almost the entire country will be feeling the heat.

“We could well see the hottest day of the year so far this weekend. It’s only got to go to 33.1C (91.6F) and you’re there,” Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said.

“It’s not just in the south-east, but the peak is likely to be the south-east over the weekend.”

However, there is a risk of isolated showers in some places during the afternoon and England fans will hope spirits will be in such victorious shape that nothing will be able to dampen the mood.

“I don’t suppose anybody minds,” Maxey joked, as she warned of potential showers. “They’re all going to be inside watching the football.”

Thousands will, however, be at the mercy of the elements with music fans at Wireless festival expected to watch the game on screens across Finsbury Park.

Elsewhere, people are set to cheer on Harry Kane and the boys on Brighton beach, Newcastle’s Times square, Millennium square in Leeds and Bristol City’s Ashton Gate, which is reportedly broadcasting the match on the largest pub screen in the UK.

Meanwhile, 2,500 miles away, there could be 10,000 empty seats at the Samara Arena in Russia for the England-Sweden game and tickets remain available.

The Eurasian country has had its own record-breaking heatwave this week with temperatures reaching 36.5C at England’s training base outside of St Petersburg on Tuesday.

By Thursday it had dropped to around 30C but on Saturday afternoon, when the game kicks off at 6pm local time, it is forecast to be around 27C with chances of showers.