Good morning everyone and welcome to the first day of the 2026 World Cup.
If there’s one thing I think about when it comes to the World Cup it’s water bottles. We know it’s going to be hot out there. Players will be taking water breaks at the midpoint of each half (similar to the Club World Cup).
The fans too have to stay hydrated. And while they can’t bring water bottles into stadiums –
(Actually, Fifa reversed its policy so fans will be permitted to bring “one, soft, plastic, 20 ounces (590ml), factory
sealed disposable water bottle into any FIFA World Cup 2026 match in the USA and Canada“)
– they also always have the option to go for a run instead of attending a World Cup match. Should they choose to run, it’s probably wise to carry a handheld water bottle.
But which to choose?
This is the predicament your hoddler-in-chief faces.
During my most recent marathon I chucked my water bottle at around Mile 24 because it became too heavy and, in a moment of madness, I discarded the extra weight.
Well, it’s now mid-June and I want a water bottle so I can stay hydrated during my runs.
I’m a big fan of the Nathan SpeedDraw handheld water bottle (the 12ox version). I find it’s pretty easy to squeeze, carries just enough water for me and I’m able to put a couple gels (or, if I’m traveling around, my car keys) in there.
But these DC summers are getting worse and worse, and I’m a little afraid this one’s going to be brutal too. So what’s a fella to do? Bump up to an 18oz water bottle? A hydration vest ?? (no thanks to the vest).
There are a few things I’m looking for:
- Ease of squeeze: I don’t want to have to fight for my water. That’s what water fountains are for.
- A comfortable feel: I want it to feel as if I’m not really holding the bottle at all. The less stress on my hand the better.
- Storage capacity: Where else am I gonna store my gels? In my shorts with my apartment keys? That sounds like danger.
- Breathability and weight: I don’t need the extra sweat or heat around my hands. At the same time, I wanna keep the bottle pretty light.
I stopped into a running store the other weekend and none of the bottles I checked out there passed the test. There was a soft flask that looked interesting but I didn’t like how it wrapped around my hand, and I imagined how uncomfortable it could be once its contents run dry towards the end of my run.
If anyone has a soft flask, let me know how you get on. Otherwise I’m open to all sorts of hydration ideas.
And, above all, stay hydrated.
Fitzie’s track of the day: We Will Not Be Lovers, by The Waterboys
And now for your links:
ESPN: “Why are there drinks breaks at the 2026 World Cup, and why has FIFA been criticised?”
Jay Harris: “Tottenham confirm Marcos Senesi signing on a free transfer”
BBC: “Legend of the club – but McKenna leaves promoted Ipswich”
I Run Far: “Best Running Water Bottles of 2026”
