The world's 'football' is America's 'soccer': Trump signaled that could change

The U.S. has agelong referred to European shot arsenic "soccer" — but President Donald Trump signaled this week that helium could officially alteration the practice.

Speaking to DAZN TV channel, Trump was asked astir the anticipation of an enforcement bid to rename the sport.

"I deliberation we tin bash that, I deliberation I could bash that," Trump laughed arsenic helium spoke to the planetary sports streamer in an interrogation published Monday.

"They telephone it 'football,' but I conjecture we telephone it 'soccer,' but that alteration could beryllium made precise easily. But it's large to watch," helium said, arsenic helium was interviewed during the last of the FIFA Club World Cup, which was held successful New Jersey's MetLife Stadium connected Sunday.

While the word "football" is wide utilized for the sport, particularly successful Europe and overmuch of the world, the U.S., Canada and Australia mostly usage "soccer" to notation to the game.

It remains to beryllium seen however superior Trump is astir making the sanction change, but helium surely appears to person caught the bug for what the British telephone "the Beautiful Game." CNBC has reached retired to the White House for further remark and is awaiting a response.

Trump, who was contiguous for the FIFA Club World Cup last match, appeared alongside winners Chelsea — overmuch to the bemusement of players — arsenic they lifted the contention trophy.

The recently expanded shot — oregon shot — tourney was launched this twelvemonth and saw top-flight teams from astir the satellite vie successful matches held crossed 12 venues successful the U.S. successful the past month. British nine Chelsea stunned their French counterparts, Paris St. Germain (PSG), clinching a 3-0 triumph connected Sunday.

Trump unexpectedly appeared connected the signifier with the Chelsea players arsenic they lifted the trophy. There are immense amounts of wealth to beryllium made successful shot — the tourney triumph has netted Chelsea astir £84 cardinal (almost $113 million), according to the BBC, for their information and performance.

When the Chelsea players were asked astir Trump "crashing" the trophy presentation, Chelsea Captain Reece James commented, "To beryllium honorable it was rather loud. I couldn't perceive excessively much. He conscionable congratulated maine and the squad for lifting the trophy and told america to bask the moment."

His squad mate Cole Palmer, who was instrumental successful each 3 goals netted by the team, looked visibly confused astatine the time.

The "America First" president, known for his protectionist stance, told DAZN that the athletics had a unifying quality, and was astir "love" betwixt countries.

"The crippled is astir unity, it is astir everyone getting together," helium told the network.

"It is astir a batch of emotion betwixt antithetic planetary countries," helium added, saying chapeau "this is the astir planetary athletics connected the planet, truthful it tin truly bring the satellite together."

The U.S. won't beryllium capable to flight the footballing mania adjacent year, erstwhile it's acceptable to big the World Cup, on with Mexico and Canada.