President Donald Trump surprised during an interview with DAZN TV channel by stating that he is considering issuing an executive order to change the name of the sport known as “soccer” to “football” in the United States.
He made the suggestion while attending the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 13, where Chelsea FC beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0. “They call it ‘football,’ but here we say ‘soccer.’ I think that could easily change,” Trump said with a chuckle. “It’s great to watch this sport,” he added.
What does this name change mean?
In most of the world, the sport is known as “football”, while only in countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia is the term “soccer” used.
In international contexts, this has generated cultural and linguistic debates among fans.
It's great to watch this sport
Trump has not officially filed an executive order, but his statements have generated immediate reactions.
In the past, the president has already pushed for symbolic changes to geographic names, such as trying to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” a pressure he even directed at private mapping companies.
A cultural issue, not just a sporting one
During the 2022 World Cup, U.S. fans chanted “It’s called soccer!” in front of the English as a symbol of national pride.
Changing the name of the sport could generate rejection, as the term “soccer” has been deeply linked to the American sports identity, differentiating it from “American football”.
However, with the United States co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, Trump has increased his presence at international sporting events.
It seeks to position itself politically with the growing enthusiasm for international soccer.
On this occasion, Trump sat next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the match in New Jersey.
He was booed by some of the crowd when he appeared on the big screen during the national anthem and later, when he handed over the trophy to Chelsea, posing with the referees and players for the official photo.
Midfielder Cole Palmer, scorer of two goals, commented:
“I knew he was going to be there, but I didn’t think he would be on the podium with us. I was surprised to see him next to the trophy.”
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