diff --git a/global.setup.ts b/global.setup.ts
index c02ffd5..a2be656 100755
--- a/global.setup.ts
+++ b/global.setup.ts
@@ -90,10 +90,24 @@ setup('authenticate as WP admin', async ({ browser }) => {
       // indicate a credential rejection or 2FA prompt) and then navigate
       // explicitly to wp-admin.
       await page.waitForURL(
-        (url) => !url.pathname.includes('/wp-login.php'),
+        (url) =>
+          !url.pathname.includes('/wp-login.php') ||
+          url.searchParams.get('action') === 'confirm_admin_email',
         { timeout: NAV_TIMEOUT }
       );
 
+      // WordPress periodically (every ~6 months) interrupts admin logins with
+      // "Administration email verification" (wp-login.php?action=confirm_admin_email).
+      // The login has already succeeded at that point; confirm and continue so the
+      // smoke gate does not time out on it.
+      if (new URL(page.url()).searchParams.get('action') === 'confirm_admin_email') {
+        console.log('[setup] Admin email verification screen - confirming and continuing');
+        await page.click('#correct-admin-email');
+        await page.waitForURL((url) => !url.pathname.includes('/wp-login.php'), {
+          timeout: NAV_TIMEOUT,
+        });
+      }
+
       // Navigate explicitly into wp-admin to capture the authenticated admin session.
       await page.goto('/wp-admin/', { timeout: NAV_TIMEOUT });
       await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/wp-admin\//, { timeout: 20_000 });