![Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore (14) scored off a header on AC Milan goalkeeper Donnarumma Gianluigi in the first half Wednesday night. ] (AARON LAVINSKY/STAR TRIBUNE) aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com US Bank Stadium opened its doors for its first sporting event Wednesday, as AC Milan played Chelsea FC on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minn.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/HVNEBFWITK2NATVEVZKZMA3HY4.jpg?&w=1080)
Minneapolis is one of 32 cities still in line to potentially play host to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United Bid Committee of Canada, Mexico and the United States announced Wednesday.
This narrows down from the initial list of 44 cities announced in mid-August. Minneapolis and U.S. Bank Stadium are one of 25 U.S. locations, along with four cities in Canada and three in Mexico. Minneapolis has touted its familiarity with hosting big events, including the 2014 MLB All-Star game and Super Bowl LII this coming February, to help make its case.
The next stage of the bid process will include committee members and local officials collaborating to finish hosting documents required by World Cup organizer FIFA. Representatives from the cities will also go to Houston the week of Nov. 13 to work with the committee. Nine other cities, two in Canada, that the Committee ruled out are still in contention to play host to other World Cup events, such as serving as a team base camp.
MEGAN RYAN
