CHICAGO (AP) Cleveland, New Orleans and Pittsburgh have been dropped as potential host cities for the 2026 World Cup.
The North American bid committee said Wednesday it also cut Indianapolis and San Antonio, along with Birmingham, Alabama; and Jacksonville, Florida. The Canadian cities of Ottawa and Regina, Saskatchawan, also were eliminated.
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Thirty-two areas remain in contention, including 25 from the United States, four from Canada and three from Mexico.
The bid committee said it expects its proposal, which will be sent to FIFA in March, to include up to 25 cities. At least 12 cities would ultimately be selected if the FIFA Congress picks the joint bid when it votes in June 2018.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first with a 48-nation field. Morocco said it also intends to bid.
The 32 remaining areas under consideration are:
UNITED STATES
Atlanta; Baltimore; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cincinnati; Chicago; Dallas and Arlington, Texas; Denver; Detroit; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Glendale, Arizona; Houston; Kansas City, Missouri; Landover, Maryland; Las Vegas; Los Angeles and Inglewood and Pasadena, California; Miami; Minneapolis; Nashville, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Philadelphia; Salt Lake City; Santa Clara, California; Seattle; Tampa, Florida
CANADA
Edmonton, Alberta; Montreal; Toronto; Vancouver, British Columbia
MEXICO
Guadalajara; Mexico City; Monterrey
