Argentina President Javier Milei says he will watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final from home, citing a long-held personal superstition and a political tradition he believes could help the national team.
As Argentina prepares to face Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, President Javier Milei has announced that he will not attend the championship match in New Jersey, opting instead to watch from home because of a personal superstition he believes has accompanied the team’s successful tournament run.
According to international media reports, Milei declined an invitation to attend the final alongside US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, despite the global significance of the match.
Explaining his decision, Milei said he has watched every one of Argentina’s World Cup matches from home and does not want to change a routine he believes has brought the team good fortune.
“I’ll watch the final from home,” the president said, adding that he wants to maintain the ritual that has remained unchanged throughout Argentina’s journey to the final.
Milei also shared the story behind what he describes as his “lucky jacket.” During Argentina’s match against Switzerland, he removed the jacket after feeling too warm. Moments later, Switzerland scored, prompting him to put the jacket back on immediately. Since then, he has continued wearing the same jacket while watching Argentina’s matches, convinced it has become part of his winning routine.
His remarks quickly generated discussion on social media, where many Argentine fans acknowledged having their own football traditions, from wearing lucky jerseys to sitting in the same place during important matches.
The president’s decision also reflects an enduring political superstition in Argentina. Following the national team’s surprise defeat to Cameroon in the opening match of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, attended by then-President Carlos Menem, Argentine presidents have largely avoided watching the national team live from the stadium during major international tournaments.
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