Trump Sides with Soccer, says NFL Should Drop the Name 'Football'

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President Trump suggests that American football (played on the gridiron, not the pitch) should be renamed so that soccer can be called “football” in the United States.

The President said none of it makes sense.

“When you look at what has happened to football in the United States, again soccer in the United States, we seem to never call it that because we have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that’s called football,” he told reporters on Friday.

“But when you think about it, shouldn’t it really be called, I mean this is football, there’s no question about it,” he added. “We need to come up with another name for the NFL stuff.”

“It really doesn’t make sense when you think about it.”

Trump going to bat for soccer

There are arguments to be made here. The sport of soccer has been known as football since the mid-19th century, with the name officially codified by the Football Association in England in 1863—decades before American football emerged as a distinct rugby-derived game in the 1870s.

Additionally, it is by far the most popular and widely played sport globally, recognized as football in nearly every country except the U.S.

That said, Mr. Trump, how’s about a hard “no” on renaming the NFL brand of football?

American football deserves to keep the name “football” in the United States because it is overwhelmingly the most popular spectator sport domestically, with surveys showing around 36-52% of Americans naming it their favorite.

Sure, every once in a while, right around World Cup time, soccer marks try to convince us that America is finally going to embrace their brand of “football.” But it’s never going to happen.

Americans are not going to fully get on board with games that often end in 0-0 or 1-1 ties. Nah, bro.

READ MORE: Trump Finally Gets His Peace Prize – FIFA to Honor President

Trump got his peace prize

We get it. Trump is trying to promote the World Cup, set to be hosted in various U.S. cities in 2026. And he’s had a bit of a grudge with the NFL, particularly the kickoff rules. But soccer isn’t “football” on this side of the pond.

The President, on Friday, received FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize during the World Cup final draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center. The trophy featured golden hands holding a soccer ball.

“The FIFA Peace Prize is presented annually on behalf of the billions of football-loving people from around the world to a distinguished individual who exemplifies an unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world through their notable leadership and action,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.

Participants later celebrated with a live rendition of “YMCA” by the Village People. Trump delivered his signature dance.

Eleven of the 16 host cities for the World Cup are in the United States.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup games begin on June 11, 2026, with the opening match featuring co-host Mexico against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.