U.S. Faces Extra World Cup Qualifiers

The United States will have to play two extra games to qualify for the 1998 World Cup.

Under an agreement reached Tuesday in Miami, the Americans will have to play 20 qualifying games instead of 18 during 1996 and 1997. The plan must be approved by FIFA, soccer’s world governing body.

The Americans will have a bye until the third round of qualifying in the CONCACAF region, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The United States will then be part of a six-team group and play a double round-robin.

The top three teams in each of the two groups will advance to the final qualifying round, and play another double round-robin.

From that schedule, the top three teams will qualify for the 32-nation tournament in France.

The qualifying draw, expected to includes about 30 teams, is scheduled for Dec. 12 in France.