(ADDING INFORMATION) 

*United States to face powerful Germany in World Cup opener*
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The waiting is over, but the news is not good for the United
States. 

The U.S. will begin play in the 1998 World Cup soccer tournament
against three-time champion Germany on June 15th in Paris. The
Americans also will face Iran in a politically charged game on
June 21st in Lyon and a tough Yugoslavia team on June 25th in
Nantes. 

The U.S. and 31 other nations learned their opponents as the
draw for next year's tournament was conducted today in
Marseilles, France. The 32 teams were drawn into eight four-team
groups. 

"We are obviously very proud that we have a chance in front of
the world to show what we are," U.S. coach Steve Sampson said.
"We certainly highly respect the talents of Germany and
Yugoslavia.  And what a matchup playing Iran. Certainly the
media will have a field day the next six months." 

The United States will be making its third straight World Cup
appearance and sixth overall.  The Americans advanced to the
second round at home in 1994, but will be hard-pressed to repeat
that performance next summer in France. 

Germany won the World Cup in 1954, 1974 and 1990 and reached its
14th World Cup by winning one of nine European qualifying
groups.  The Germans are currently ranked second in the world. 

"We have to show very well with Germany," Sampson said of the
opening game. "If we can get a point against Germany, it will be
difficult, but it will be critical.  The second match against
Iran is a game we must win." 

Iran figures to be the Americans' easiest first-round opponent,
but emotions will be running high on both sides.  The countries
have not had diplomatic relations since the Iranian Hostage
Crisis from 1979-81. 

Iran, which will be competing in its second World Cup, is ranked
50th in the world.  The Iranians qualified by edging Australia
in a home-and-home series. 

Yugoslavia finished second to Spain in European qualifying Group
Six and compiled a 7-1-2 qualifying record.  The Yugoslavs,
World Cup semifinalists in 1930 and 1962, are ranked 22nd in the
world. 

The game between the United States and Yugoslavia ultimately may
decide which of the teams advances past the opening round in
Group F. The top two teams in each group -- 16 in all -- advance
to the single-elimination round. 

Defending champion Brazil, gunning for an unprecedented fifth
World Cup title, received a favorable draw.  Currently ranked
number one in the world, the Brazilians are the top seed in
Group A and will face Scotland, Morocco and Norway. 

Brazil will open the World Cup on June 10th against Scotland in
the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. 

Only once has a country outside of Europe won the World Cup when
an European nation hosted the event.  That country was Brazil,
which beat host Sweden, 5-2, in Stockholm in 1958. 

Brazil, which automatically qualified as defending champions,
became the first four-time champions in World Cup history in
1994 by beating Italy at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
Also winners in 1958, 1962 and 1970, Brazil will be making its
16th World Cup appearance and is the only nation to participate
in every World Cup. 

France, which automatically qualified as the host nation, also
has a clear path to the second round.  The top seed in Group C,
the French are grouped with South Africa, Denmark and Saudi
Arabia. 

Group B consists of Italy, Chile, Cameroon and Austria.  The
Italians, three-time World Cup champions, earned a berth in the
tournament by defeating Russia in a two-leg playoff and were
rewarded with a top seed despite scoring only nine goals in
eight qualifying games under coach Cesare Maldini. 

Spain is the top seed in Group D.  The Spaniards are grouped
with Africa Group 1 winner Nigeria, European Group 5 winner
Bulgaria and Paraguay. 

European neighbors Belgium and the Netherlands are paired in
Group E, along with Mexico and South Africa.  The Netherlands is
the top seed after winning European Group 7.  Belgium finished
second in the group after dropping both games against the
Netherlands by a combined score of 6-1.  Mexico won the North
American qualifying group. 

England, denied a top seed earlier in the week, avoided drawing
a powerhouse such as Brazil or Germany.  The English, winners of
European Group 2, were placed in Group G along with top seed
Romania, Colombia and Tunisia. 

Though currently ranked sixth in the world, England was not
among the eight seeded teams because it failed to qualify for
the 1994 World Cup in the United States. 

Group H, the last of the eight groups, consists of two-time
World Cup champion and top seed Argentina, which joins three
three countries making their World Cup debuts -- Croatia, Japan
and Jamaica. 

The World Cup will begin June 10th and the championship match is
scheduled for July 12th.