Trump Suggests NFL Rebrand to Allow ‘football’ for Soccer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former President donald Trump has proposed the National Football League (NFL) consider a name change, suggesting it would allow the term “football” to be used exclusively for the sport of soccer, officially known as association football. trump made the suggestion during the FIFA World Cup 2026 official draw ceremony held at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025.
The remark came as Trump participated in the draw, selecting the United States for Group D. While the comment drew laughter and some applause, it highlights a long-standing debate among soccer fans in the U.S.about the use of the term “football” to describe a sport largely referred to as “soccer” domestically. The 2026 World Cup, hosted across North America – the united States, Canada, and Mexico – is widely seen as a pivotal moment for growing the sport’s popularity in the U.S., and Trump’s suggestion underscores the desire among some to align American terminology with the global standard.
The international tournament will begin in June 2026, marking the first World Cup in over two decades to be held in multiple countries. The championship match is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Trump’s comment, though lighthearted in delivery, taps into a broader discussion about the cultural impact of soccer’s rising prominence in the United States. For many, adopting “football” as the standard term would signify the sport’s full integration into the American sporting landscape and reflect its global identity.
