Context:

The debate over whether to call the sport 'soccer' or 'football' in the United States was humorously addressed by former President Donald Trump during the Club World Cup final, suggesting a possible executive order to align the US with the global norm. Despite 'soccer' being widely used in the US, the term actually originated in Britain, derived from 'association football' to distinguish it from other forms of football. As soccer's popularity grows in the US, fueled by events like the World Cup and stars like Lionel Messi playing in the MLS, the debate over terminology continues. Historically, 'soccer' was also used in Britain, but its usage declined over time, while in the US it remains a way to differentiate from American football. Different countries have varied terminology based on their unique versions of football, underscoring the complexity of the global sports lexicon.

Dive Deeper:

• Donald Trump humorously suggested an executive order to rename 'soccer' as 'football' in the US, reflecting the sport's growing significance in the country as it co-hosts the men's World Cup with Canada and Mexico.

• The term 'soccer' originated in Britain, possibly in the 1880s, derived from 'association football', a name created to distinguish it from other football variations like rugby and Royal Shrovetide.

• The increasing popularity of soccer in the US is driven by high-profile events, international leagues, and stars like Lionel Messi, contributing to the ongoing debate over the sport's name in a landscape dominated by American football.

• Historically, 'soccer' was commonly used in Britain and was part of cultural references, but its usage has declined, yet in the US, it remains a practical term to differentiate from American football.

• Different countries adopt varied terminology based on their own football traditions, such as Australia with its unique football codes and Ireland with Gaelic football, illustrating the diverse naming conventions globally.

• Dr. Stefan Szymanski highlighted that the issue with the term 'soccer' is more about its American association than the word itself, especially in light of the NFL's popularity in the US.

• The Associated Press stylebook prefers 'soccer' in the US, acknowledging that globally, the sport is commonly known as 'football', which underscores the regional differences in naming the sport.