Former United States President Donald Trump has once again stirred the long-standing debate over what to call the world's most popular sport. Speaking at a high-profile FIFA event, he suggested that the term 'soccer' should be dropped in favour of 'football' in the US.
Trump's Call for a Name Change at FIFA Event
The remarks were made on Friday, December 5, during the official draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event was held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. On stage, Trump, who was honoured as the "very first winner" of the FIFA Peace Prize, participated in a Q&A session.
He argued that the global terminology makes more sense. "When you think about it, shouldn't it really be called... I mean this is football, there's no question about it," Trump stated. He further proposed finding a new name for American football, represented by the NFL. "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.
The Global 'Football' vs American 'Soccer' Divide
The term "soccer" is predominantly used only in a handful of countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. This is largely because other major sports in these nations, like American football and Australian rules football, already claim the 'football' name. In contrast, the sport is known as "football" in over 200 countries worldwide, aligning with its fundamental rules.
North America Prepares for Historic 2026 World Cup
The context for Trump's comments is significant, as the United States is a key host for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marking the first time the event spans three nations.
The United States will be the primary host, with 11 out of the 16 total host cities. The first match on US soil is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. However, the global kick-off will be earlier, in June 2026.
2026 World Cup Groups and Marquee Clashes Revealed
The Draw on Friday solidified the structure of the expanded 48-team tournament, revealing all 12 groups. The opening match of the entire World Cup will see Mexico face South Africa on June 11 at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The three co-hosts now know their initial opponents for the group stage. Fans can also anticipate several high-profile matches early in the competition, including:
- Brazil vs Morocco
- France vs Senegal
- Netherlands vs Japan
The draw also presented challenging fixtures for debutant nations. Teams like Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will have their work cut out for them, drawing footballing powerhouses such as Spain, Germany, Argentina, and Portugal respectively.
While the debate over the sport's name in America continues, the focus for the footballing world is now firmly set on the historic 2026 World Cup in North America.
