Javier Milei World Cup final plans are ruled by superstition, with Argentina’s president choosing to watch Spain clash from home.
The Javier Milei World Cup final plan will keep Argentina’s president away from the stadium when his country faces Spain in Sunday’s 2026 final.
President Javier Milei has decided to watch the match from his home because of superstition.
Argentina has won all seven of its matches at the tournament. Milei watched every victory from the presidential residence in Olivos and does not want to change that successful routine.
He also plans to wear the same thick jacket he wore during Argentina’s previous wins. Milei believes maintaining the ritual could help his country secure a second consecutive World Cup title.
Sports fans and athletes worldwide often believe certain habits can bring luck to their team or create misfortune for opponents.
However, these traditions hold particular importance across Latin America, especially in Argentina. The practices are widely known as “cabalas” and often shape how supporters experience major matches.
Many observers expected Milei to join United States President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the New Jersey stadium for the final.
Instead, the Argentine leader will remain at Olivos.
“I watch all the matches from Olivos,” Milei told Argentine media, referring to his official residence.
Javier Milei World Cup Final Ritual Includes Lucky Jacket
Explaining his decision, Milei described another superstition connected to the jacket.
“Because it’s cold these days and I don’t turn on the heating, I wear a jacket made by an oil company,” he said.
“During the match against Switzerland, I felt very hot, so I took the jacket off. Right then, they scored a goal against us. I put the jacket back on and didn’t take it off again.”
Like Milei, many Argentine supporters follow strict routines whenever the national team keeps winning.
Some wear the same clothes for every match and refuse to wash their shirts throughout the tournament. Others watch each game from precisely the same place.
In some households, certain people may even be prevented from watching.
During one match, a supporter was reportedly in the bathroom when Argentina scored. Others then refused to let him return to the television because they believed his absence had brought the team luck.
Even minor actions can gain mystical significance during a World Cup.
A popular video from this tournament showed fans beginning to read the Bible as Argentina started scoring against Egypt. Supporters have reportedly repeated the ritual during every match since.
Another common practice involves freezing small figurines representing opposition players. Some fans instead freeze pieces of paper carrying their opponents’ names.
Argentine Presidents Have Long Feared the Jinx
The Javier Milei World Cup final decision also follows a longer political tradition.
Argentine presidents have historically avoided crucial World Cup matches because they fear being blamed for bringing bad luck to the national team.
The superstition dates to the 1990 World Cup.
Then-President Carlos Menin visited Argentina’s squad shortly before its opening match against Cameroon. Argentina suffered a shock defeat, and supporters later branded Menin a jinx.
Since then, no serving Argentine president has attended a national team match while holding office.
Milei will therefore stay at home, wear his trusted jacket and follow the same routine that has accompanied Argentina through seven victories.
Whether that ritual influences Sunday’s result remains a matter of belief. However, for Milei and millions of Argentine supporters, changing a winning routine before the biggest match would be an unnecessary risk.
