The 2026 World Cup took center stage on Friday in Washington, DC for the upcoming event’s final draw. United States President Donald Trump was in attendance and was given an opportunity to speak to the international crowd, and he gave a statement regarding the American connotation of the word “football”.
Donald Trump Speaks At World Cup Draw On Friday
In the United States, the term “football” refers to a game that barely resembles its name. Meanwhile, the sport the rest of the world calls football, known in the U.S. as soccer, is far more literal, with the players primarily use their feet to advance the ball and score.
When given the microphone on Friday, Trump addressed the issue:
“When you look at what has happened to football in the United States, it’s again ‘soccer’ in the United States. We seem to never call it that because we have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that’s called football.”
Trump would go on to say that “football” makes more sense when referring to a game that you play primarily with your feet.
The final draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is taking place on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The ceremony, which began at noon Eastern. It will determine the group stage matchups for the tournament, which will feature a record 48 teams for the first time in World Cup history.
Trump suggests soccer is the true "football"pic.twitter.com/FPlJ2QoAFr
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This draw is critical because it sets the roadmap for the entire tournament, shaping each team’s path to the knockout stages and influencing travel, venue logistics, and potential matchups.
The ceremony included live performances by major entertainment stars. Among them were classical singer Andrea Bocelli, pop icons Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, and a closing performance by the disco group Village People.
