Trump says the US should change the name of soccer so it can have it: ‘It really doesn’t make sense’
NEWNow you can listen to News articles!
President Donald Trump suggested that the American sport of soccer should have a different name so that soccer, as soccer is called in almost every other country, can take on the name.
Trump made his comments during the World Cup draw in Washington, DC, on Friday while discussing the growth of soccer in the US.
“When you look at what’s happened with football in the United States, again football in the United States, it seems like we never call it that because we have a little conflict with something else called football. But when you think about it, shouldn’t it really be called? I mean, this is football, there’s no doubt about it. We need to find another name for the NFL stuff,” Trump said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON News
“It really doesn’t make sense when you think about it.”
Trump also received the first FIFA Peace Prize in Friday’s drawing.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino. presented Trump with the award, which included a trophy of golden hands holding a soccer ball. He was also awarded a medal which he wore almost immediately.
“The FIFA Peace Prize is presented annually on behalf of billions of football-loving people around the world to a distinguished individual who exemplifies an unwavering commitment to promoting peace and unity around the world through his remarkable leadership and action,” a certificate awarded to Trump states.
TRUMP SAYS WE ARE READY TO FOLLOW THE WORLD CUP, AND WE WILL ‘TACKLE’ CRIME IN HOST CITIES
U.S. President Donald Trump poses for a selfie with FIFA President Gianni Infantino on stage during the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Emilee Chinn/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
In March, Trump signed an executive order establishing a task force to soccer tournament, which will be organized by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Trump serves as chair of the task force, while Vice President JD Vance serves as vice chair. As CEO, Rudy Giuliani’s son was tasked with managing and overseeing daily operations.
The United States is home to 11 of the 16 host cities.
The president previously threatened to move the games out of cities if they were deemed unsafe, but after arriving at the Kennedy Center on Friday, he reaffirmed his confidence in the safety of those cities and pledged federal support if needed.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE News APP
President Donald Trump picks the United States for Group D during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
The championship game will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The international tournament, which will span North America, will begin in June 2026 and is the first World Cup in more than two decades to be held in multiple countries.
Paulina Dedaj of News and The News contributed to this report.
Follow News Digital sports coverage in Xand subscribe to the News Sports Huddle newsletter
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to Title IX enforcement and in mainstream media outlets such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The News and ESPN.com.