Los Angeles (AFP)

The American cities bidding to host matches for the 2026 World Cup will start working together during a video conference, scheduled for Tuesday: there are 17 candidates for only 10 places.

This first work meeting, originally scheduled for March in Dallas, has been delayed by the coronavirus, but no deadline has yet been set for the selection of American cities. This Mondial-2026 will be divided between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 17 American candidate cities are Atlanta, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Boston, Baltimore, New York / New Jersey, Cincinnati, Denver, Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Chicago, which hosted the opening match of the Mondial-94, failed to pass the first phase. In the two other host countries, Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton seem to be holding the rope in Canada, as are Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico.

FIFA officials have not given a program yet. They hope to start visiting stadiums and venues before the end of 2020, unless the new coronavirus makes it difficult for them.

FIFA will make the final decisions, including the choice of a stadium with at least 80,000 seats for the final, based on the advice of the American Federation (US Soccer).

Former US Soccer boss Dan Flynn, who oversees the selection of host cities, believes that the 2026 World Cup has more potential as a catalyst for the development of football across the Atlantic than the 1994 edition.

According to Flynn, "there are just bigger opportunities. Our sport is on a different level."

© 2020 AFP