WASHINGTON DC — In the build-up to Friday’s World Cup draw here, one feeling pervades that has repeated on me often over the last two years: it’s easy to forget that there are two other countries hosting this tournament.

Canada and Mexico are only hosting 26 matches in 21 days, after all. Barely even worth thinking about.

This is the USA’s parade and this is Donald Trump’s show because football has allowed it to be so. The draw will take place 140 miles from the nearest host city and 1.01 miles from the White House. That symbolism punches you square in the jaw.

Still, at least we will learn which countries will play who and (after some more Fifa deliberation) where and when. Sometimes in all this politicking fog it’s easy to forget that it’s football at all. Sport as an afterthought t

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