Trump jokes that he might rename 'soccer' as 'football' in US

The president has been openly embracing the sport this month, welcoming the Juventus squad to the White House and - to some confusion - celebrating the Club World Cup with Chelsea.

Mr Trump, who watched the Blues beat PSG in New York, was so taken with the expanded Fifa competition that he said he would keep the trophy in the Oval Office.

And with the US set to host the World Cup next year alongside Canada and Mexico, the sport appears to be going from strength to strength Stateside. By the time of the kick off in June 2026, it might even be called by a different name among Americans.

Mr Trump was asked this week if he could sign an executive order to change the name of the sport from ‘soccer’ to ‘football’.

“I think we can do that, I think I could do that,” he told DAZN, although he did make the comment with a laugh.

“They call it ‘football,’ but I guess we call it ‘soccer,’ but that change could be made very easily. But it’s great to watch.”

Soccer is a name derived from ‘association football’, the full name of the sport. While Britain, Europe, and much of the rest of the world calls it ‘football,’ this name is usually given in the US to flag football - which Brits call ‘American football’.

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It is a similar situation in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, which also have other sports which can be referred to as ‘football,’ and so the name ‘soccer’ is used. Despite the shared name, American, Gaelic and Aussie Rules football are nothing like association football in the rules and how the games are played - bearing a closer resemblance to rugby.

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The president has form for such executive orders, having signed off on The Gulf of Mexico being renamed The Gulf of America as one of his first acts after resuming office.

Mr Trump’s association with the game goes back years, with him memorably drawing the teams for the 1992 Rumbelows Cup on ITV.

He said at the time: “I used to play and we call it here, soccer, but it has never worked out as well here as it has elsewhere… But it’s a great game, I love it, and I played it in high school.

“It hadn’t caught on in the US, and it’s not what it is in England or other countries.”

Who is Donald Trump?

Name: Donald John Trump

Age: 79 (born June 14, 1946)

Bio: Real estate developer, television personality, and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States (2017-2021) and is currently the 47th President (inaugurated January 2025). Built a business empire centered around real estate development, hotels, and licensing deals. Hosted The Apprentice TV show from 2004-2015

Political party: Republican Party

Relationships: Married three times - first to Ivana Zelníčková (1977-1992), then to Marla Maples (1993-1999), and currently to Melania Knauss (married 2005)

Children: Five children - Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric (with Ivana); Tiffany (with Marla); and Barron (with Melania)

Net worth: Estimates vary widely, but generally reported to be in the billions. Forbes has estimated it at around $2-3 billion, though Trump has claimed higher figures

Height and weight: Officially listed as 6'3" tall. Weight has been reported at various figures over the years, with official reports typically around 240-250 pounds, around 115kg