The Canadian city of Edmonton is unlikely to answer any SOS, having pulled out of the race for 2022 two years ago over budgetary concerns, even though it, too, is eyeing a bid for the 2026 event.
Durban surrendering the Games would continue the recent phenomenon of cities turning away from hosting major events, including both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
Liverpool or Birmingham would be considered safe options for the CGF, which hailed the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow two and a half years ago as “the standout Games in the history of the movement”.
Next year’s Games are being staged in the Gold Coast, Australia, while the 2022 event was due to be the first held in Africa.