World Cup Fans Furious With Pope Leo XIV For Calling It 'Soccer'

Of all the controversial issues that Pope Leo XIV has taken sides on in his year as Pontiff, he might have truly made his most contentious yet by making an offhand remark during a message about the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Taking to X on Wednesday, Pope Leo called on all World Cup viewers to remember that "life is not a race to show off on our own" and called for all Christians to be "compassionate, love selflessly, and seek the good of others" among other things. But there was one problem with that message: He referred to the sport as "soccer" rather than "football."

"The World Cup begins tomorrow, and many will watch the matches. Soccer reminds us of something we must not forget: life is not a race to show off on our own, but a path we learn to walk together. Anyone who does not know how to pass the ball, even if they have talent, has not yet understood the game. Anyone who does not know how to live with and for others has not yet understood life," Pope Leo wrote.

Soccer vs. Football

It's an argument that has become about as old as the Pope himself: Calling it soccer versus calling it football. Fans took to the comments of Pope Leo's message to express outrage that he would call it soccer. American fans, meanwhile, were delighted to hear the American-born head of the Catholic church acknowledges for the rest of the world what the sport is called.

"Only Americans call it soccer. The entire world calls it football," one user remarked.

"How can a pope talk about football by calling it soccer? Is started in the UK and its called football," wrote another.

"I didn't intend to correct the Pope.. but it's Football.. not soccer. Thanks, His Holiness," a third wrote.

"It's football not soccer."

"Calling it 'football' is now a sin btw."

"He calls it Soccer. He's a proper American."

Before he was known as Pope Leo XIV, he was Robert Prevost, a Chicago native and diehard White Sox fan.

As Pontiff he isn't supposed to take sides when it comes to sporting events. But every now and then he'll playfully drop the mask and say something to the tune of "Robert Prevost would have preferred this team."

Just don't expect the Pope to be wearing any red, white and blue robes to support the USMNT when they take on Paraguay in their World Cup opener this week.

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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 10:29 AM.