MLB franchise prevented ‘best soccer stadium in U.S.’ hosting World Cup – ‘Dagger to the heart’
Stadiums designed to host soccer were hard to come by in the U.S. before the 1994 World Cup.
Miami was desperate to be among the nine host cities and Joe Robbie Stadium — now Hard Rock Stadium — seemed the perfect fit.
Unfortunately, the Florida Marlins had just set up shop there as MLB‘s most recent expansion franchise in 1993.
“Joe Robbie Stadium is the finest stadium built for soccer in the country, but unfortunately it would only be available for three games because of major league baseball,” said Alan Rothenberg, the chairman of the organizing committee. “Under our format, we need four games in each city. That created a problem with all the baseball stadiums.”
Miami also offered the Orange Bowl, but it needed major renovations to meet FIFA‘s strict standards and Orlando’s Citrus Bowl secured the pick to leave a bitter taste in the mouth.
“I would be less than honest if I said that Orlando getting a bid and not us was not hard to swallow,” Fort Lauderdale Strikers general manager Noel Lemon said. “The Strikers have been here for 17 years and Joe Robbie built a stadium with soccer in mind.
“But the main thing is that the World Cup will be in the United States.”
It was a major blow to local organizers, who expected to at least be handed two later-round games.
“It’s an absolute shocker,” said Bernie Budd, the chairman of the committee. “The World Cup said it couldn’t justify only two games at Joe Robbie Stadium.
Tim Robbie — son of former Dolphins owner Joe — was gutted.
“We’re very disappointed, however we understand and accept the decision,” he said. “Major league baseball at JRS has always been a top priority despite the obvious impact that it had had on our ability to secure World Cup games.”
Lemon, added: “It’s great that we have the Marlins. But on the other side of the coin, it’s a dagger in the heart.
“There’s no reason why the Orange Bowl could not have been used. Major international games have been played there for years. That’s a little bit of a mystery.”
Previous World Cups had seen 12 venues, but FIFA cut that to nine in order to save $50 million.
Washington, Los Angeles, Dallas, Detroit, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Orlando and Boston got the nod.
Atlanta, Columbus, Denver, Kansas City, New Haven, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Seattle and Tampa joined Miami in missing out.
“I think the decision to compete in only nine cities was absolutely the right decision,” Rothenberg said. “I only regret having to say no to some great cities.
“The decision among the Florida cities was the toughest one we had to make.
“In a very, very close call we decided on Orlando. There was brisk bidding between Orlando and Tampa. We feel we can cover the whole of Florida from Orlando. It gives us more flexibility.”
Miami will, of course, get a shot in 2026 as Hard Rock Stadium hosting four Group Stage, a Round of 32 clash, a quarter-final and the bronze final match.
Kansas City was another brutal snub as Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt dreamed of hosting the tournament.
Thankfully, his son Clark will now see out that vision.
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