According to a report by Indy100, the unexpected remarks occurred as the United States prepared to co-host the upcoming global tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.

A surprising pitch for soccer

The suggestion came during the high-profile event where FIFA President Gianni Infantino also awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. Surrounded by sporting icons from various American leagues, the president chimed in on the age-old debate between domestic and international naming conventions for the sport.

Addressing the audience, Trump pointed out the linguistic conflict that arises when discussing the world’s most popular game in America. He questioned the logic of the current system, noting that the rest of the world universally recognizes the sport as football, a sentiment that immediately sparked both laughter and backlash online.

The viral NFL quote

The president’s phrasing quickly captured attention on social media and news broadcasts. Pointing to the global nature of soccer, he made a direct reference to America’s most profitable sports league.

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As quoted by Football360, Trump stated: “When you think about it, shouldn’t it really be called football? This is football, there is no question about it. We have to come up with another name for the NFL stuff. It really doesn’t make sense when you think about it.”

While his comments were delivered with a conversational tone, it ignited immediate reactions. Some traditionalists heavily criticized the idea of rebranding a deeply rooted American institution, while international fans expressed amusement at the unexpected defense of global terminology.

Whether the NFL will ever have such a monumental change remains highly unlikely, but the remarks have undeniably added another unique layer of political theater to the 2026 World Cup.

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