Argentine President Skips World Cup Final Due to Superstition

Argentine President Javier Milei announced he will not attend the World Cup final due to superstition. He plans to watch the match between Spain and Argentina from home. Milei has watched Argentina’s previous seven games from his residence, where they have all been victories.

President Milei will wear the same heavy jacket he wore during Argentina’s previous matches. This tradition is part of a broader cultural phenomenon in Argentina and across Latin America, known as “cábalas,” which are beliefs and habits intended to bring good luck.

When questioned about attending the game in New Jersey with U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Milei firmly declined. He stated, “I’m going to keep watching all the games from Olivos,” his presidential residence, during an interview with Buenos Aires radio station El Observador.

Milei explained one of his rituals, involving a jacket branded by an oil company. During a game against Switzerland, he removed the jacket due to the heat, and Argentina conceded a goal. He immediately put it back on and hasn’t removed it since.

Like Milei, many Argentines adhere to cábalas during the World Cup. Some people wear the same clothes for each match, even refraining from washing their jerseys. Others may watch from a specific spot or avoid watching altogether if they accidentally bring luck by being away when a goal is scored.

Fans have adopted unusual rituals, such as reading from the Bible when Argentina scores or freezing figurines with names of opposing players to hinder rival teams. Such practices are believed to affect game outcomes.

Argentine presidents traditionally avoid attending high-stakes World Cup matches. This practice dates back to 1990, when President Carlos Menem visited the team before a shocking loss to Cameroon. Since being labeled a “mufa,” no sitting Argentine president has risked attending a national team match.