In a statement that has reignited a long-standing global sports debate, former US President Donald Trump has suggested that American football should be renamed. He made these remarks during the draw ceremony for the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Core of Trump's Argument
Speaking at the event on Friday, Trump pointed out the apparent contradiction in terminology. "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 ... football, there is no question," he stated. He directly addressed the premier American football league, adding, "We have to come up with another name for the NFL (National Football League)."
Trump, who has shown growing interest in soccer as the 2026 mega-event approaches, emphasized the logic behind his view. "It really doesn't make sense when you think about it," he concluded. His comments highlight the fundamental difference: the sport most of the world calls football (or soccer in the US) involves primarily kicking a round ball, while American football is a hands-dominated game with an oval ball.
World Cup Context and Infantino's Super Bowl Pitch
The backdrop for this suggestion is the mounting excitement for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in a strategic move to capture the American audience's imagination, recently framed the tournament's scale in familiar terms. During the NFL's championship event, the Super Bowl, Infantino told US viewers that the upcoming World Cup would be the equivalent of "104 Super Bowls."
This comparison underscores FIFA's ambitious efforts to penetrate the lucrative US sports market. The Super Bowl itself is a cultural phenomenon in America, drawing millions of viewers annually. By equating the World Cup to over a hundred such events, Infantino aimed to convey its massive global appeal and commercial potential.
Implications and the Global Naming Divide
Trump's proposal, while unlikely to lead to an immediate name change for the NFL, spotlights a perennial transatlantic cultural divide. In the United States and Canada, the term "football" is firmly owned by the gridiron sport. Meanwhile, across Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, "football" unequivocally refers to the beautiful game played by legends like Pele and Messi.
The former president's foray into this debate adds a political and celebrity dimension to the discussion as the United States gears up to be the centerpiece host of the 2026 tournament. Whether this sparks a broader conversation or remains a passing remark is yet to be seen, but it has certainly drawn global attention to the linguistic quirks that define the world's most popular sports.
