Although England did not qualify for the 1994 World Cup, the first tournament hosted by the United States, an Englishman played a pivotal role in its initial stages.
Jack Charlton, a member of the England team that won the World Cup in 1966, had already made his mark in Irish football by 1994 as their most accomplished manager. His squad began the tournament with a surprising 1-0 victory over Italy, home to renowned players such as Roberto Baggio, Franco Baresi, and Paolo Maldini, a team that would later reach the finals.
However, those who observed Charlton’s animated reactions on the sidelines might have assumed that his team was struggling. His fervent gestures were primarily in response to a critical issue that remains relevant as we approach the 2026 tournament: the provision of water.
Approximately 24 minutes into the match, cameras captured Charlton aggressively distributing water to his players along the touchline, even throwing opened bottles at them, prompting multiple warnings from the fourth official. Footage also shows him angrily tossing an opened bottle to the ground.
Charlton’s frustration was justified, as the 1994 World Cup coincided with an unprecedented heatwave. The stadiums, designed for various events, were not equipped for daytime soccer, with average temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. The final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena reached a blistering 38 degrees Celsius. FIFA’s approach to the situation was to ignore it; players were not allowed access to water even during stoppages in play, a stark contrast to the drinks break that will be implemented in 2026.
After the match against Italy, the former Leeds United defender announced his intention to write to FIFA to advocate for water breaks, expressing concern not only for his players but also for the opposing team, Mexico.
“It’s straightforward to provide water to players on the touchline,” Charlton stated in a Los Angeles Times article from June 21, 1994, just days after Ireland’s triumph over Italy. “We even dispatched someone to the opposite side of the field—permitted by a FIFA representative—but security prevented him from getting near the touchline. I just want ten to fifteen seconds a couple of times in each half. I don’t know if we’ll get that. In the first half, five of my players went without a drink for over thirty minutes.”
FIFA’s response was dismissive. Sepp Blatter, then FIFA’s general secretary, remarked in The Independent on June 23, 1994, that “it is no coincidence that the only manager to voice complaints is from Ireland.”
He added, “His issue is not with water but with the officials at most stadiums, which isn’t FIFA’s responsibility. If his players need water against Mexico, they can have it. He should cease his complaints.”
Charlton was not alone in his grievances. Several American players referred to the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan—where the USA played Switzerland to a 1-1 draw on June 18—as “the worst venue I’ve ever played at” and noted the oppressive heat and challenging conditions.
Eventually, FIFA conceded and permitted water bags to be thrown onto the field for players to hydrate. Fast forward thirty years, and the World Cup is returning to the USA, this time with mandatory hydration breaks scheduled for the 22nd and 67th minutes of each half, regardless of weather conditions.
However, the irony of the situation has shifted to the stands. Initially, FIFA prohibited water bottles in the venue for the upcoming tournament, which sparked backlash from fans. On June 6, this decision was overturned, allowing fans to carry in one factory-sealed, soft plastic water bottle, up to 20 ounces (590ml), to any FIFA World Cup 2026 match in the USA and Canada. Despite the passage of three decades, the issue of water at an American World Cup remains a contentious topic.
Rohit Mundayur serves as a Copy Editor for the Sports Team at The Indian Express, working with the online team and based in Delhi.
