Newcastle United and the World Cup: 1994 in the USA,…

Newcastle United and the World Cup: 1994 in the USA, and 1998 in France

With the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar approaching the closing stages, we're continuing our look back at previous tournaments and recalling any Newcastle United connections. So far, we've covered the finals from 1950 to 1990. We've now reached the finals of 1994 and 1998.

In 1994, England under the management of the much-derided Graham Taylor failed to qualify for the USA finals. But if the national team was once again at a low ebb, Tyneside was buzzing at the resurgence of a rampaging Newcastle United side, which only two seasons earlier had nearly dropped into the old Third Division.

The end of the 1993-94 season saw newly-promoted United finish third in their first season back in the top flight. It was the club’s highest post-war league position and saw the Magpies qualify for Europe for the first time since 1977. With St James’ Park under reconstruction, Kevin Keegan in the manager’s chair, and with strike duo Andy Cole and Peter Beardsley terrorising Premier League defences, things hadn’t looked as bright at the Toon for years.

Over at the USA World Cup, former United manager Jack Charlton led the Republic of Ireland to a fine win over Italy, before his team fell to Holland in the last 16. As for other Newcastle United connections, four players who at one time or another donned the black and white stripes appeared at the tournament.

Philippe Albert of Anderlecht and Belgium, and Marc Hottiger of FC Sion and Switzerland would soon become excellent additions to an already powerful United squad. David Kelly who’d starred in United's 1993 promotion-winning team turned out for Ireland, while a certain Faustino Asprilla starred for Colombia. He’d famously sign for Newcastle United two years later.

Philippe Albert of Belgium and Jurgen Klinsmann of Germany in action during the World Cup finals in the United States, July 02, 1994. Albert would sign for Newcastle United after the tournament (Bongarts/Getty Images)

Four years later, the 1998 tournament took place in France where four Magpies got the nod for their respective international squads. Unfortunately, on the Newcastle United front, the 1997-98 season had been one in which Kevin Keegan’s 'Entertainers' team was effectively dismantled.

Kenny Dalglish was manager now and a new, random mix of unknown signings such as Andreas Andersson and Temuri Ketsbaia, alongside veterans John Barnes, Ian Rush and Stuart Pearce hardly excited the Gallowgate crowd. Nevertheless, there was an enjoyable Champions’ League campaign featuring that famous 3-2 win over Barcelona, while a functional but effective FA Cup campaign was only ended by league champions Arsenal at Wembley in May.

United talisman Alan Shearer had missed the first half of the season due to injury, but was on the World Cup plane with Newcastle team-mates David Batty and Rob Lee as part of the England squad. Another name - technically a Newcastle player - was the ill-starred Stephane Guivarc’h who played for winners France in the World Cup final, but made only four appearances for United before being packed off to Rangers at the start of the 1998-99 domestic season.

As for England, 2-0 victories over Tunisia and Colombia propelled them out of the group and into a last-16 clash with Argentina. This was the game which famously saw future Newcastle striker, 18-year-old Michael Owen’s wonder goal and David Beckham’s red card. After 120 tense minutes, Newcastle United's midfield terrier David Batty missed in the penalty shoot-out and England were out.

READ NEXT:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here