FIFA held the preliminary draw for the 2018 World Cup on Saturday in Saint Petersburg, Russia, providing fans with a symbolic starting point for the long qualification process.
Russia have already qualified as hosts, but all of the remaining 208 FIFA member associations participated in the draw, including the United States. So what does it all mean for the Americans' hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup? Well, not very much, actually.
The reasons should be obvious for anyone who's ever maintained even a passing interest in the qualification process for the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).