Argentine President Javier Milei announced Thursday that he will not attend the World Cup final, citing superstition as the reason for his decision. Milei plans to watch the match between Spain and Argentina from his presidential residence in Olivos, where he has watched the team's previous seven games, all of which resulted in victories.
Milei stated he would also wear the same heavy jacket he has worn during previous games in an effort to help his nation secure a consecutive title. He explained his ritual to a local Buenos Aires radio station, noting that on the day of the Switzerland game, he felt too hot and removed the jacket, after which the opposing team scored. He put the jacket back on and has not removed it since.
In Latin America, and particularly in Argentina, superstitions, known as "cábalas," are deeply ingrained and carry significant weight, reflecting the intense passion for the national team. Many fans and players adhere to rituals they believe can influence the outcome of games.
When asked if he would travel to New Jersey to watch the game with allies like U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Milei responded, "No way."
The practice of presidents avoiding high-stakes matches to prevent bringing bad luck to the national team has historical precedent in Argentina. The superstition dates back to the 1990 tournament, when then-President Carlos Menem visited the team before a surprising opening loss to Cameroon. Menem was subsequently labeled a "mufa," or jinx, and no sitting Argentine president is known to have attended a national team match since.
In contrast, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez plans to attend the World Cup final, and King Felipe VI is also expected to be present. There is no similar superstition reported on Spain's side.