Trump Explores Renaming “Soccer” to “Football” in U.S.

President attends FIFA Club World Cup Final amid international sporting fervor

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed openness to officially renaming the sport known globally as “football” to “soccer” within the United States, a sentiment revealed during an interview at the FIFA Club World Cup final. The president’s remarks come as the U.S. gears up to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.

President’s Footballing Remarks

During a conversation with DAZN TV, **President Trump** considered the possibility of an executive order to formalize the name change. He conveyed a lighthearted willingness to make the shift, acknowledging the common U.S. terminology while praising the sport’s appeal.

“I think we can do that, I think I could do that. They call it ‘football,’ but I guess we call it ‘soccer,’ but that change could be made very easily. But it’s great to watch,”

—Donald Trump, U.S. President

The international debate over “football” versus “soccer” is a long-standing one, with the former term prevailing in most of the world, while the latter is prevalent in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Chelsea Clinches Club World Cup Title

The presidential appearance coincided with Chelsea FC securing the FIFA Club World Cup title. The English club triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) with a decisive 3-0 victory in the final match held at MetLife Stadium. This victory earned Chelsea a significant prize of approximately £84 million (nearly $113 million).

President Trump joined the Chelsea players on stage to celebrate their win, an unexpected presence that drew reactions from the team. Chelsea captain **Reece James** commented on the moment, noting the celebratory noise obscured much of the interaction.

“To be honest it was quite loud. I couldn’t hear too much. He just congratulated me and the team for lifting the trophy and told us to enjoy the moment.”

—Reece James, Chelsea Captain

Teammate **Cole Palmer**, who played a crucial role in the team’s goals, appeared visibly perplexed by the president’s participation in the trophy presentation.

Sporting Unity and Global Reach

The newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup tournament featured top international clubs competing across 12 U.S. venues. **President Trump** highlighted the sport’s capacity for international unity and connection.

He told DAZN that the game fosters togetherness and “love between different international countries.” The president further asserted that it is “the most international sport on the planet, so it can really bring the world together.” The U.S. has seen substantial growth in soccer participation; in 2023, over 14 million people played soccer in the U.S., according to Statista.

With the U.S. scheduled to host the 2026 World Cup, the nation’s engagement with the sport is set to intensify.