Argentine President Javier Milei Won't Attend World Cup Final Citing Superstition

Published 17 July 2026 · sports

Argentine President Javier Milei Won't Attend World Cup Final Citing Superstition Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 10:28 IST Argentine President Javier Milei will

Argentine President Javier Milei Won't Attend World Cup Final Citing Superstition Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 10:28 IST Argentine President Javier Milei will not attend the World Cup 2026 final in the US, preferring to watch from home due to a good luck ritual. Rapid Read Javier Milei has been following ritual during the world cup. (Reuters Photo) Argentine President Javier Milei will not travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, saying he plans to watch Argentina’s showdown against Spain from home while maintaining the rituals he believes have brought the team luck throughout the tournament. Milei told El Observador radio on Thursday that “under no circumstances" would he abandon his tradition of watching Argentina’s World Cup matches from the presidential residency, a routine he has followed throughout the team’s run to Sunday’s final.

The Argentine leader also revealed another superstition he has kept during the competition: wearing a thick jacket from the state-owned oil company YPF while watching every match. Milei wore the jacket during Argentina’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland, a 3-1 win that helped propel the team closer to the title match. “Since it was cold and I don’t turn on the heating, I use a jacket from the oil company which, on the day of the match against Switzerland, kept me really warm," Milei said. “When I took it off, we conceded a goal, so I put it back on and haven’t taken it off since," he added. Argentina secured their place in the World Cup 2026 final after defeating England 2-1 on Wednesday. The victory set up a title clash with Spain in New Jersey, where the two teams will compete for football’s most coveted international trophy.

The final is expected to draw a high-profile audience, with Spain’s King Felipe VI and US President Donald Trump among those scheduled to attend the match. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will Milei's superstition affect Argentina's World Cup performance? Argentine President Javier Milei will not attend the World Cup final due to superstition, choosing to watch from home to maintain rituals he believes bring luck to the team. What other superstitions do football fans or leaders have? Argentine President Javier Milei is not attending the World Cup final due to superstition, choosing to watch from home where he has followed a ritual of wearing the same oil company-branded jacket for the team's previous seven victories. Could this decision impact Milei's public image in Argentina?