The IAAF re-opened the bidding of the competition at the end of last year and letters of interest have been received from Brussels, Budapest, Helsinki, Rome, Moscow, Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart.
The cities will now send delegations to the IAAF headquarters in Monte Carlo on Friday when they will be briefed on the requirements for what is regarded as the third most important event in the sporting calendar after the Olympic Games and the World Cup.
Delegates have until the end of February to submit detailed bids.
