Russia To Drop Two Of The 13 Cities Bidding To Host 2018 World Cup Matches

Russian Local Organizing Committee Chair Vitaly Mutko revealed that the country "will drop two of 13 cities" bidding to stage matches for the 2018 World Cup, according to REUTERS. The cities of Saransk, Volgograd, Yaroslavl, Kaliningrad and Rostov are "the most under threat." Mutko, who is also Russia's Sports Minister said, "As of today we still have 15 stadiums located in 13 cities, but we plan to use only 12 venues in 11 cities, therefore our task is to pick the two cities that must be cut." The LOC is scheduled to announce the host cities on Sept. 29 (REUTERS, 9/11).