Argentina President Rejects World Cup Final Trip Over Lucky Match Ritual

(Javier Milei. Photo by Vanguard News)

Argentine President Javier Milei has announced that he will not be attending the World Cup 2026 final in the United States, opting instead to watch his country’s clash with Spain from home.

Speaking to El Observador radio, Milei said he would “under no circumstances” abandon what he described as his good luck ritual of following World Cup matches from the presidential residence, a practice he has maintained throughout the tournament’s lead-up to Sunday’s final.

He also revealed another superstition he has held onto through this edition of the tournament: wearing a thick jacket from oil company YPF during every match.

The Argentine leader had the garment on during his country’s 3-1 quarter-final win over Switzerland.

He explained that since it was cold and he does not turn on the heating, he wore the jacket, which kept him warm throughout the match against Switzerland.

He recalled that when he briefly took it off, Argentina conceded a goal, prompting him to put it back on and keep it on ever since.

Argentina defeated England 2-1 on Wednesday to book its place in the final of football’s biggest tournament.

Spain’s King Felipe VI is expected to attend Sunday’s match in New Jersey, alongside US President Donald Trump.