Domes to Be Considered as Sites for ’94 World Cup Play in U.S.

FLORENCE, Italy —  With 31 stadiums in 27 U.S. cities already expressing interest in playing host to World Cup soccer games in 1994, the organizing committee announced Tuesday that the list of potential sites could grow with the International Federation of Assn. Football’s decision to consider domed stadiums.

Ross Berlin, vice president in charge of venues for World Cup USA 1994, said officials from the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., the Astrodome in Houston and the Super Dome in New Orleans have made inquiries about the bidding process.

Before this week, FIFA had not approved use of domed stadiums for the monthlong, 52-game tournament. The stadiums still will be required to have grass fields.

All domed U.S. stadiums have artificial surfaces, which are prohibited by FIFA, but Scott LeTellier, president of the World Cup ’94 Organizing Committee, said that grass would be placed on top of the artificial turf.

“The domed stadiums, in general, are the most modern in the United States,” LeTellier said. “Unlike Italy, we won’t have the luxury of building new stadiums or extensively renovating others. But this will allow us to use the newest and most modern stadiums in the United States.”

The organizing committee will accept formal bids from stadiums in December. Among the stadiums expected to bid are the Rose Bowl and the Coliseum. A decision on the eight to 12 stadiums to be used is expected to be made next summer.