Donald Trump thinks the NFL should be renamed, says soccer should also be called football in the USA

Donald Trump has proposed that the United States rename soccer as “football” and that the National Football League (NFL) adopt a new name. According to Trump, the global game has a stronger claim to the term “football,” a stance that aligns with the terminology used by most of the world.

Why is Donald Trump suggesting a name change for soccer?

Trump argued that the U.S. avoids calling soccer “football” because of a naming conflict with the NFL. He stated, “This is football, there is no question about it. We have to come up with another name for the NFL stuff.”

This position echoes views voiced by international fans for decades. The suggestion comes as the United States partly hosts the World Cup this year.

Did You Know? The NFL began as the American Professional Football Association in 1920 before adopting the National Football League name in 1922.

How did the term “soccer” originate in England?

The word “soccer” is not an American invention but originated in England during the 19th century. It was created to distinguish “association football” from rugby football.

British university slang shortened “association” to “assoc.” The addition of a popular “-er” ending then created the term “soccer.”

What is the history of the NFL and U.S. Soccer naming?

The NFL and college gridiron claimed the word “football” as the American game grew quickly. This established the term in the U.S. before soccer became a major spectator sport.

Trump Calls on NFL to Change Name So Soccer Can Be Called Football in the U.S

U.S. Soccer’s own name evolved to reflect this shift. The organization moved from the United States Football Association to the United States Soccer Football Association, and finally to the United States Soccer Federation.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the tension between these terms represents a clash between global standardization and deeply rooted American sporting identity. The linguistic divide reinforces the NFL’s cultural dominance within the U.S. market.

Will the U.S. actually change the name of football?

A name change may be unlikely due to the power of the NFL and the established nature of the word “football” in American culture. Many U.S. soccer fans have also built a unique identity around the term “soccer.”

During the 2022 World Cup, USMNT supporters embraced the distinction by using the chant, “It’s called soccer!” Consequently, shifting the terminology could be more difficult than winning the World Cup itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Donald Trump suggest regarding the NFL?
Trump stated that the NFL should find a different name so that the term “football” could be used for soccer.

Where did the word “soccer” come from?
The term came from England in the 19th century as a slang version of “association football.”

How have U.S. soccer fans reacted to the naming debate?
While mocked internationally, many fans embrace the term, including USMNT supporters who chanted “It’s called soccer!” during the 2022 World Cup.

Do you think the U.S. should adopt the global term “football” for soccer?