Trump says NFL should find new name so soccer can claim 'football'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump suggested that the United States should reconsider what it calls football, arguing that soccer — known as football across most of the world — should be the sport that holds the name. The president made the comments Friday during the World Cup draw, where he also discussed soccer’s rising popularity in the United States and received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

Speaking before international delegates and US officials, Trump said the naming distinction between soccer and American football has never made much sense. His remarks came as preparations accelerate for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across North America. 

US prepares for 2026 World Cup across North America  

While noting soccer’s rapid growth in the country, Trump revisited a debate familiar to sports fans and cultural commentators. “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 conflict with another thing that’s called football,” Trump said. “But when you think about it, shouldn’t it really be called— I mean this is football, there’s no question about it. We need to come up with another name for the NFL stuff." 

"It really doesn’t make sense when you think about it,” he added, arguing that American terminology continues to confuse the global sports community.

During the ceremony Trump was presented with first ever FIFA Peace Prize by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The honor included a trophy designed as golden hands holding a soccer ball and a medal that Trump placed on immediately. The certificate said the award goes to an individual who demonstrates “an unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world through their notable leadership and action." 

The event also highlighted the progress of Trump’s earlier executive order that created a federal task force to coordinate World Cup preparations. Trump serves as chair, with Vice President JD Vance as vice chair and Rudy Giuliani’s son overseeing day-to-day operations

North America readies largest World Cup in history

The 2026 tournament will be the first in more than 20 years to be held across multiple nations, with dozens of venues spread throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The championship match is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a location expected to draw one of the largest global audiences in World Cup history. 

With 11 of the 16 host cities located in the United States, federal logistics and security planning remain central to the tournament’s rollout as the region prepares for what is expected to be the biggest World Cup ever staged.