The long argument between the words “football” and “soccer” has started again in the United States. This happened because Donald Trump recently said the NFL should change its name. He said the name does not make sense because most of the world calls “soccer” football. His comment became big news, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming soon. Many Americans quickly reacted and strongly disagreed with Trump’s idea.
The Renewed Football vs. Soccer Debate
The World Cup news made Trump talk about the NFL name again. During the World Cup event, he said the NFL name is confusing because the game does not use the feet very much. He said the U.S. should use the same naming style as the rest of the world, where “football” means the game Americans call “soccer.”
But many people did not like this idea. For millions of Americans, “National Football League” is not a strange name—it is part of American history and culture.
Overwhelming Opposition: The EssentiallySports Poll Results
To understand what people think, EssentiallySports made a poll asking Americans if the NFL should change its name. The results were very clear.
Out of 1,350 votes, 1,196 people—almost 88.6%—said no, the NFL should not change its name. This shows that most Americans do not want to change one of the most famous sports names in the country.
Fan Sentiment: Defending American Sports Tradition
The NFL name change debate made many fans speak loudly about their feelings. Many people said the name should stay the same because it is a strong part of American sports.
- Some fans said, “In the USA, NFL-MLB-NBA! Wake up, Mr. Trump. We are America!” showing pride in American sports leagues.
- Others said, “Football is an American game,” meaning the sport earned its name over many years.
- Another person said, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!” meaning there is no reason to change something that works well.
These reactions show how important the NFL name is to Americans.
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Historical Context and Commercial Legacy
The NFL has used its name since the early 1900s. Because of this long history, the name “NFL” is connected to many years of games, fans, business, and success. Changing the name would be very difficult and would create many problems.
The logo, TV shows, and records all use the current name. This is why people reacted so strongly. Changing the name feels like changing a big part of American sports culture.
Conclusion: An Unlikely Change
Because most Americans do not support the idea, and because the NFL name is so important to American history, it is very unlikely the league will change its name. Trump’s comment started the debate, but the strong reaction shows how much people want to protect the NFL’s identity.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources, including the EssentiallySports poll data. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets.