Washington, DC (December 8, 2025) – President Donald Trump’s off-the-cuff suggestion during Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup draw that the NFL should ditch “football” in favor of a new name – all so soccer can claim the title of “real football” – has ignited a firestorm of debate. Coming hot on the heels of FIFA awarding him its inaugural Peace Prize, the remark is being hailed by some as a bold embrace of global sports culture and slammed by others as cultural capitulation.
With the U.S. co-hosting the expanded 48-team tournament next summer, is this a savvy play to boost soccer’s stateside buzz, or just another Trumpian tangent alienating America’s gridiron faithful?
The Moment: Donald Trump’s “Word Salad” on Stage with FIFA Brass
Speaking at the John F. Kennedy Center alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Donald Trump veered into sports nomenclature during his remarks on soccer’s U.S. growth. “When you look at what has happened to football in the United States, soccer in the United States… we seem never to call it that because we have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that’s called football,” he said.
“But when you think about it, this is football, there is no question. We have to come up with another name for that. It really doesn’t make sense.”
The crowd – packed with soccer execs, celebs like Tom Brady and Shaquille O’Neal, and international dignitaries – erupted in cheers, but back home, NFL fans weren’t as amused. Donald Trump’s riff, captured in viral clips, flipped the script on America’s long-standing “soccer vs. football” divide, suggesting gridiron greats like Patrick Mahomes might soon be playing “Gridball” or “Tackleball.” (He didn’t float “Patriots” explicitly, but the patriotic undertone – evoking his love for New England – fueled speculation.)
This wasn’t Donald Trump’s first dip into soccer semantics; back in July, he mused about ditching “soccer” entirely during a DAZN interview, calling a name swap “very easy.” But dropping it at the World Cup draw – a glitzy, two-hour spectacle blending Andrea Bocelli arias, Lauryn Hill performances, and Kevin Hart jokes – amplified the absurdity.
“We have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that’s called football but when you think about it… this is football, there is no question. We have to come up with another name for the $NFL,” Trump said at the World Cup draw.
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/wNIG2m3kU3
— Delta Wizard (@delta_wizard) December 7, 2025
Why It’s Sparking Outrage: Nationalism vs. Globalism in Sports Branding
The backlash is fierce, tapping into deeper cultural wars:
- “America First” Backlash: NFL diehards see it as Donald Trump – Mr. MAGA himself – bending the knee to “Euro trash,” as one Liberty Line op-ed put it. X users echoed: “Hell No… this is America and we are not going to cater to other countries!” from @Rpr1980, and “Donald Trump can go f**k himself!” from @Beavis2017WA. Critics argue renaming the NFL (America’s most-watched sport, pulling 17 million viewers per game) for soccer (which lags at ~1 million domestically) reeks of elitism.
- Pandering Accusations: With the U.S. footing much of the 2026 bill (stadium upgrades, security), some speculate Donald Trump’s coziness with Infantino – including that fresh Peace Prize for “ceasefire brokering” – is quid pro quo for FIFA perks. Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins called the whole draw “farcical,” with Trump’s bit as the cherry on top.
- Historical Irony: “Soccer” originated in 19th-century England to distinguish association football from rugby – a British invention America never adopted. Defenders like @safc_AoL cheered: “The one good thing… Donald Trump declaring they need a new name for American Football because this is the only actual game of FOOTBALL.”
On the flip side, soccer boosters applaud it as a wake-up call. The Athletic noted Trump’s push aligns with MLS’s explosive growth (average attendance up 20% YoY), positioning 2026 as soccer’s “coming-out party” redux from ’94. Even skeptics like @KasparQ admitted: “The first sensible suggestion from Donald Trump I can agree on 😂.”
Broader Ties: Donald Trump’s Sports-Politics Power Plays
This isn’t isolated – it’s Donald Trump doubling down on sports as a political stage:
- Peace Prize Context: Awarded just before the draw for his “global unity” efforts, it drew HRW fire for opacity, but Trump leveraged it to hype U.S. hosting.
- NFL Echoes: Remember his 2017 anthem protests? Now, he’s eyeing the league’s sacred name, potentially stirring fresh culture clashes amid playoff season.
- 2026 Stakes: With groups set (U.S. in Group D vs. tough draws like Argentina-Algeria), Trump’s influence could sway fan turnout – or boycotts if the “rename” talk escalates.
X is ablaze with polls and memes: @delta_wizard’s “What do you think?” post garnered quick replies like “Over my dead body” vs. “Finally, some sense.” @Nonder92 clarified the misheadlines: Trump meant rename NFL, not USMNT.
What’s Next: Gridiron Rebellion or Soccer Surge?
The NFL has stayed mum, but expect commissioner Roger Goodell to swat this down – perhaps with a sly nod to Super Bowl LVIII’s 123 million viewers. For soccer, it’s gold: MLS could ride the wave, especially with stars like Lionel Messi drawing crowds. But if Trump pushes harder (say, via executive nudge on broadcast rights), it risks fracturing his base – think tailgate chants of “Keep the Name!”
Bottom line: In a year of election-fueled divides, Trump’s football flip is a microcosm of America’s identity tug-of-war. Soccer or football? Gridiron or global? As @ArizGorilla quipped on X, it’s “pure bs” – but damn if it isn’t entertaining. With kickoff looming, this could be the spark that turns 2026 into sports’ ultimate culture clash.
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