Trump says America should change football's name so soccer can have it: 'It really doesn't make sense'

Soccer

Trump says America should change football's name so soccer can have it: 'It really doesn't make sense'

Comments come as US prepares to host 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico

Jackson Thompson Fox News

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December 5, 2025 5:03pm EST

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President Donald Trump suggested that the American sport of football should have a different name, so that soccer, which is called football in nearly every other country, can assume the name.

Trump's comments came during the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., on Friday while discussing soccer's growth in the U.S.

"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, 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," Trump said.

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"It really doesn't make sense, when you think about it."

Trump was also awarded the very first FIFA Peace Prize at the draw on Friday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino gave Trump the award, which included a trophy of golden hands holding a soccer ball. He was also awarded with a medal that he put on almost immediately.

"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," a certificate awarded to Trump read.

TRUMP SAYS US READY TO HOST WORLD CUP, WILL 'TAKE CARE' OF CRIME IN HOST CITIES

Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino pose for a selfie

U.S. President Donald Trump, poses for a selfie with Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, onstage during the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Emilee Chinn/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

In March, Trump signed an executive order establishing the task force for the soccer tournament, which will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Trump serves as the chair of the task force, while Vice President JD Vance serves as the vice chair. As the executive director, 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 games out of cities if they were deemed unsafe, but after arriving at the Kennedy Center on Friday, he reaffirmed his confidence in the security of those cities and vowed federal support if needed.

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President Donald Trump picks the United States for Group D during the FIFA World Cup 2026 official draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

The championship match will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The international tournament, spanning North America, will begin in June 2026 and is the first World Cup in more than two decades to take place in multiple countries.

Fox News' Paulina Dedaj and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox 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 the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.

Trump says America should change football's name so soccer can have it: 'It really doesn't make sense'