Cup city picks to come by year-end

FIFA on Tuesday set a new target of finalizing North American host cities for the 2026 World Cup — if the coronavirus pandemic allows.

The 23 candidate cities — with Houston among the bidders — likely need to be cut to 16. FIFA said it could confirm them at the end of the the year.

The pre-pandemic schedule called for cities hosting the first 48-team World Cup — likely 10 in the United States and three each in Canada and Mexico — to be picked early this year.

In other news:

• The Houston Dash on Tuesday acquired defender Deneisha Blackwood.

Blackwood, 23, who signed a one-year contract with the club, spent the 2020 Fall Series with the Orlando Pride, making appearances in four games

and logging 196 minutes.