Argentine President to skip World Cup final due to superstitious belief

Argentine President Javier Milei will skip Sunday’s World Cup final in person, choosing instead to watch from his residence due to superstition.

Milei Won’t Attend World Cup Final, Cites Argentine ‘Cábala

Argentine President Javier Milei said Thursday he won’t attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, opting to watch from his Olivos residence as he has for all seven of Argentina’s tournament victories, according to NBC News.

Milei told radio station El Observador he’ll skip traveling to New Jersey, where he’d been expected to join allies Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino, declaring “no way.” He’ll also keep wearing his lucky oil company-branded jacket after removing it once led to a goal against Argentina.

Such “cábalas,” or ritualistic superstitions, run deep in Argentina, with the tradition of presidents avoiding matches dating back to 1990, when Carlos Menem’s attendance preceded a shock loss to Cameroon.