Yes, so says ussoccer.com, the official site of U.S. soccer.
“Kinnick Stadium is among the 70 stadiums in more than 50 metropolitan markets that are in consideration, ranging in market size from New York City, where the new Meadowlands Stadium will open in 2010 in nearby East Rutherford, N.J., to college town markets such as Lincoln, Neb., and Fayetteville, Ark. The outreach by U.S. Soccer and the USA Bid Committee truly represents a national campaign to welcome the return of the world’s most popular sporting event to the United States, with the comprehensive mix of metro markets and world class venues representing a chief asset of the U.S. bid.”
This is a serious longshot, obviously, but I’ve always wondered why the UI hasn’t used Kinnick for events. I imagine it could be a decent revenue stream, but there’s also logistics.
And don’t get me started on that water tower.
On Iowa 
The argument I’ve always heard about not using Kinnick for non-Football events was the damage they would cause to the turf. With the installation of the new surface, I’d think this becomes a moot point.
What’s your issue with the water tower?
By: MF on April 8, 2009
at 2:47 PM
That’s a great picture of Kinnick and what is the whole deal with the water tower anyway?
By: EP on April 8, 2009
at 3:01 PM
I was typing an answer when I received an e-mail from the UI titled “Podolak returns to the booth.”
By: marcmwm on April 8, 2009
at 3:02 PM
I don’t think turf is any issue. The main issue for most of these older football stadiums is that the fields aren’t big enough for a soccer field. They’re just too narrow and probably a bit too short.
By: AdamBez on April 8, 2009
at 4:01 PM
I don’t have an issue with the water tower. I’ve heard from many, many fans through the years complaining about the lack of a Tiger Hawk on the water tower.
Maybe you can enlighten there, MF?
That picture is from ol’ Capt. Bobby Ratliff, who used to pilot the helicopter for KCRG-TV. I think it’s from 2006.
I think the Field Turf should stand up for concert traffic, but, now that I think of it, I’m not sure any Big Ten school uses its football field for concerts.
By: marcmwm on April 8, 2009
at 4:08 PM
Adam, I don’t think Kinnick would have any extra. There’s not much sideline and there’s a brickwall surrounding the field.
It’s a great idea, though.
Maybe Iowa could have more athletic events at Kinnick, like women’s soccer and field hockey.
Granted, it wouldn’t fill and I know that was a sticky point before many of the MLS teams built their own cozy stadiums. But it might draw a few more fans, ones who simply enjoy Kinnick. I know they’re out there.
By: marcmwm on April 8, 2009
at 4:41 PM
Kinnick was included in the venue list for the world cup bid because the us soccer president sunil gulati wanted to show the strength of the us stadium infrastructure. there are maybe 10 stadiums in europe that hold over 70k fans, while the us has over 70 stadiums that can hold that many. that pretty much blows any other bid out of the water as far as attendence goes.
there is little possibility of a world cup game coming to iowa city, they would need to make some stadium adjustments (widening the field) and to do that they would need money (where would that money come from) and then you get into the question of stadium alterations ‘ruining’ some of the iowa football game day atmosphere. Plus Iowa isn’t as big of a fan market compared to the other venue sites. A World Cup game in Iowa is a very unlikely scenario.
By: brandon on April 9, 2009
at 11:51 AM
Thanks for the input, Brandon. That US/Europe stadium thing makes sense.
I’ve been pulled into soccer through my kids and would love to see a WC game here, knowing that’s probably unlikely.
Mike Hlas covered the WC when it was in Chicago. He said it was one of the most memorable events he’s covered.
By: marcmwm on April 9, 2009
at 2:16 PM
Its a very long shot beacause FIFA the international governing on soccer does not support field turf. US Soccer will only play a sanctioned game that means anything on real grass.
By: kurt on April 19, 2009
at 8:40 AM