Devastating tremors rock England squad’s Florida base, will FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations be interrupted?

England’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup received an unexpected scare after a strong earthquake struck near Cuba and sent tremors across parts of Florida on Monday. The 6.1-magnitude earthquake was felt in several cities, including West Palm Beach, where the England national team is currently training ahead of its friendly match against Costa Rica. The quake occurred at around 2 p.m. local time and was powerful enough to be felt hundreds of miles away from its epicenter.

The earthquake originated off Cuba’s western coast in the Gulf of Mexico. According to geological officials, it was one of the strongest earthquakes recorded in the region in nearly 150 years. Tremors were reported in Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, and other parts of Florida. Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami threat to the United States. No major damage or injuries have been reported so far. Officials continue to monitor the situation across the affected areas.

Earthquake sends tremors across Florida and Cuba

The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.1 and struck at a relatively shallow depth of around 16 miles beneath the surface. Its epicenter was located off the western coast of Cuba, roughly 400 miles from Central Florida.


Residents across Florida reported feeling buildings shake for several seconds. In some locations, office workers and visitors were temporarily evacuated from buildings as a precaution. The tremors were also noticed at popular tourist destinations, including Disney World.

The National Weather Service said it had received numerous reports of shaking from southwestern Florida shortly after the earthquake. Officials quickly reassured residents that there was no risk of a tsunami affecting the U.S. coastline.

Experts noted that earthquakes of this strength are uncommon in the Gulf of Mexico region. Historical records show that a similar event occurred in 1880 near San Cristobal, Cuba, when a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck the area.

However, concerns remain because many buildings have deteriorated over the years due to economic challenges. Ongoing power outages in parts of the country have also complicated communication efforts.

Meanwhile, England’s squad remains focused on its World Cup preparations. Thomas Tuchel’s side is training in West Palm Beach before traveling to Orlando for Wednesday’s friendly against Costa Rica. The team will later relocate to Kansas City for the start of the tournament. Despite the unexpected earthquake scare, there has been no indication that England’s training schedule or upcoming match will be affected.