Donald Trump had a curious tongue slip Friday when speaking to reporters regarding the NFL’s first foray into France, which also happened to be when there is mass protests and unrest in the country
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Jarrod Castillo Sports Reporter
11:35 ET, 23 Oct 2026Updated 12:06 ET, 23 Oct 2026
Donald Trump mistakenly called an NFL game a ‘match'(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump could not help but stumble as he attempted to explain why the NFL should not proceed with its scheduled game in Paris, France, this week.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints are set to clash at the Stade de France on Sunday, Oct. 25, marking the first time the NFL has ever played a game in France. However, there have been protests and demonstrations around the country, with demonstrators clashing with police and setting fire to various buildings.
Now, Trump has weighed in on what’s happening in France and explained what he believes should happen in light of the unrest. The 80-year-old’s comments come after the Steelers opted to take matters in their own hands as they look to keep fans safe.
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“Why do you worry about it? I think maybe it’s looking like tomorrow is going to be a bad day in France, so you worry about it,” he began to reporters Friday. He then made a curious tongue slip, exposing himself through his choice of words.
“I would have said the NFL could have probably postponed that match if you want to know,” he continued. “Because France is really in trouble. That’s what happens when you go left. That’s what happens when you allow unlimited numbers of people into your country from very unfriendly countries. That’s what you’re going to have to do.”
Fans were split over Trump calling the Steelers-Saints game a “match,” with some believing the president was just adhering to how Europeans tend to refer to sporting events, at least in their view.
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Paris has been on fire in recent weeks due to extensive rioting(Image: Getty Images)
“He doesn’t know the difference between tennis and football,” one fan wrote in response while another posted, “America has 50 states, a national debt, and countless problems. And somehow AMERICAN [sic] ARE still waiting for Trump to learn the difference between a football game and a soccer match.
A third commenter posted on X, “This kind ‘slip’ is ok, and really not that big of a deal. We all know this man will make bigger gaffes worth covering.”
Others backed the president, with one replying, “It’s called a match in Europe you ignorant t—.” Similarly, a second fan wrote, “First time I’m disagreeing with Aaron and taking the side with Trump, It is MATCH, at least for non-Americans.”
Two more commenters also stated that Trump’s rationale as to why France was experiencing unrest due to the country going “left” was misunderstood and wrong.
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“PSG played Barcelona last Tuesday in a full Parc de Princes Stadium, no incidents, he doesn’t know the French,” said one fan while another added, “That’s not why France is rioting. It’s cost of living that did it. Similar to here.”
With the country’s civil unrest in full view, Steelers star T.J. Watt’s wife, Dani Watt, questioned the NFL’s decision to play the game as scheduled, posting, “Tell me how this makes sense???”
Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, international and league events, noted that fan and player safety were of the utmost importance and stated the league was working with Parisian and national authorities overseas to ensure the game is safe.
“We feel confident that we would not have any impact on the broader resources needed,” O’Reilly said. “That’s always top of mind for us, and we feel confident that we wouldn’t be depleting resources in a negative way around this game.”
