Former Liverpool defender Phil Babb recalls the brutal conditions at the 1994 World Cup when the Republic of Ireland qualified under manager Jack Charlton. The 23-year-old prepared for extreme heat with intense sauna sessions at Coventry, adapting to temperatures exceeding 30C that challenged even the fittest players.

The defender started alongside Paul McGrath as Ireland shocked Italy 1-0 in their opener, with John Aldridge's goal securing victory against an Azzurri side featuring Maldini, Baresi, and Baggio. Players struggled with dehydration, with Babb recalling the "searing, punishing" conditions affecting everyone's performance as teammate Tommy Coyne collapsed with heat exhaustion on the plane home.

Football science has evolved significantly since then, with modern athletes better equipped to handle extreme conditions. Babb notes how today's players leave nothing to chance, while the Irish team in 1994 relied on simpler methods, even as Charlton famously threw water bottles onto the pitch when FIFA refused to allow proper hydration during games.