Argentine President Javier Milei Skips World Cup Final Due to Superstition

Argentine President Javier Milei announced he will not attend the World Cup final on Sunday between Argentina and Spain, despite expectations he would watch alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New Jersey. Milei explained that he will watch the match from his home, continuing a superstition known in Argentina as "cábala," which he believes influences the national team's success.

Milei noted that he has watched all seven of Argentina's previous World Cup victories from his presidential residence in Olivos, maintaining certain rituals to avoid bad luck. He recounted that during the match against Switzerland, he removed a jacket due to heat, after which Argentina conceded a goal, so he has not removed it since. This type of superstition is widespread in Latin America, especially in Argentina, where fans and players adhere to rituals believed to bring good luck or ward off bad luck.

Historically, Argentine presidents have avoided attending crucial World Cup matches to prevent jinxing the team, a practice dating back to 1990 when then-President Carlos Menem was labeled "jinxed" after visiting the team before an unexpected loss. Since then, no sitting Argentine president has attended a national team match in the tournament's knockout stages.

In contrast, Spain's leadership does not share this superstition; Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI are expected to attend the final in New Jersey. Milei's decision highlights the cultural significance of such beliefs in Argentina's football fandom and leadership behavior during major international sports events.