Tavia Hunt just recapped a big night for soccer. From the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw, the wife of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt used her Instagram to spotlight President Donald Trump’s FIFA Peace Prize, tying it to faith and national identity. 

In her post, she wrote: “What an incredible day at the Kennedy Center in D.C. for the World Cup Draw! We’re so excited about the groups and can’t wait for the World Cup to come to the U.S. — especially Kansas City and Dallas — this June. Fútbol — the beautiful game — has a unique way of bringing the world together, and today was a powerful reminder of that. 

“Congratulations to President Trump on receiving the FIFA Peace Prize, recognizing his extraordinary efforts to promote peace and unity globally.

“With the World Cup bringing the nations to us—may we steward this moment well and share the hope of Christ with all who come.”

Tavia Hunt has emerged as one of the more outspoken figures connected to NFL ownership, previously echoing Trump’s positions on conservative issues, including immigration, and drawing strong reactions from both supporters and critics. In a league where most owners and their families prefer neutral public profiles, Hunt has leaned into visibility.

But for the Hunts, the World Cup also carries clear business stakes.

With games headed to Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City gets the promise of immense international attention, tourism revenue, and another showcase for one of the NFL’s loudest venues.

Kansas City is set to host six games, including four in group play. And considering FIFA does not allow sponsorships or other names on stadiums, Arrowhead Stadium will be called Kansas City Stadium.

But while Hunt was publicly congratulating Trump and framing the night as a chance for unity, the POTUS used the same stage to question something core to her family’s world: the very name of American football. For a league that defines Kansas City Sundays, that’s where the story pivots.

Donald Trump brings up the soccer vs football debate

During his address at the FIFA World Cup draw, President Donald Trump made the case that the word “football” truly belongs to soccer, and not American Football, as we call it.

“When you look at what has happened to football in the United States, which is soccer in the United States, we seem to never call it [football] because we have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that’s called football,” Trump said. “But when you think about it, shouldn’t it really be called … this is football, there’s no question about it. We have to come up with another name for the NFL. It really doesn’t make sense when you think about it.”

Top Stories

NFL Makes Punishment Decision on Josh Allen Incident

NFL Makes Punishment Decision Against Cowboys on Chiefs’ Incident in Thanksgiving Game

Clark Hunt Gets Major News on Arrowhead Stadium After Chiefs Considered $800M Move

Michael Irvin Doesn’t Hesitate to Call Out George Pickens as Cowboys WR Responds to Richard Sherman’s Criticism

Mostly an international crowd responded, used to “football” meaning only the global game. It sounded like a half-joke, half-challenge, but it immediately reignited the old “football versus soccer” debate in sports circles.

But can a name-change really happen?

Donald Trump has also previously spoken about changing the name of the Washington Commanders’ stadium and even the team’s name before that. But changing the league’s name is not the same. The league is a multi-billion-dollar brand embedded in American language and culture. The league has been called the NFL since 1922, when its name was changed from the American Professional Football Association to the National Football League.

Trump’s comments may have been about planting a flag on a night FIFA built in his honor, complete with a custom Peace Prize and global audience, but the debate isn’t going to go away anytime soon.

FIFA preparation is ramping up for the 2026 World Cup, and games will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 through July 19. So, the Kennedy Center night told a layered story.

Tavia Hunt used her platform to congratulate Donald Trump. She also celebrated Kansas City’s World Cup role and framed the moment through faith, as always. Trump, meanwhile, used his platform to question the name of the league that fuels the Chiefs’ empire. With the World Cup coming to Arrowhead, all those threads—language, religion, and sport—will all be in the background when the world shows up in Kansas City.