2026 World Cup: Fearing He'll 'Jinx' the Team, Argentina's President Declines to Attend Final Match in U.S.

The final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup (World Cup) is set to kick off at 5:00 AM Taipei time on July 19, featuring Argentina, seeking a historic back-to-back title, against Europe's 'Invincible Armada' Spain. While Spain's King, Princess, and Prime Minister have all confirmed they will attend in person to cheer on their national team, Argentina's sitting president, Javier Milei, has told local radio station El Observador that he will not travel to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, to watch the crucial final live. The reason is not due to a busy schedule, but rather his fear that his presence might bring bad luck to the team. Instead, he chooses to stay at the presidential palace and watch the broadcast, strictly adhering to the deeply rooted Argentine football superstition known as 'Cabalas' (lucky rituals).

Milei told local media that he will watch the Argentina vs. Spain final from the presidential residence. He proudly added that during all seven of Argentina's victorious matches in this World Cup campaign—where the defending champions sought a second consecutive title—he was physically present in the exact same spot within the residence, witnessing each win firsthand.

July 11, 2026, Argentine fans at the World Cup. (AP)

'The Championship Battle Attire'

To channel positive energy for the national team, Milei revealed a series of superstitious habits during match viewing:

No heating: Despite Argentina being in the Southern Hemisphere and currently in the depths of winter, Milei refuses to turn on the heating in the presidential residence during match viewings.

YPF oil company jacket: To stay warm, he wears a thick jacket emblazoned with the logo of Argentina's state-owned oil company, YPF.

Taking it off leads to conceding: Milei emphasized that during the quarterfinal match against Switzerland, he briefly removed the jacket due to feeling hot, and immediately afterward, Switzerland scored against Argentina. He quickly put the 'lucky jacket' back on and has since vowed never to take it off again until Argentina lifts the trophy.

October 14, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Argentine President Milei at the White House. (AP)

Fear of Becoming a National Scapegoat

As one of the key figures involved, it was widely expected that Milei would fly to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to cheer on the national team live—and potentially meet with his political ally, Donald Trump. However, Milei gave a firm and unequivocal response to such suggestions: 'No way!'

This decision carries the heavy historical shadow of Argentine politics. In Argentine football culture, the act of a political leader attending a match in person is often labeled 'Mufa'—a jinx or bad omen. The precedent dates back to the 1990 Italy World Cup, when then-President Carlos Menem traveled to Milan to support the national team. Despite being overwhelming favorites, Argentina shockingly lost 0–1 to Cameroon in the opening match. Menem was subsequently branded the nation's number one 'jinx,' and since 1990, no sitting Argentine president has dared to attend a World Cup match in person, fearing they would become a national pariah.

With Argentina defeating England 2–1 in the semifinals, the entire nation now holds its breath, hoping that in Lionel Messi's (Lionel Messi) final World Cup appearance, the team can once again lift the coveted trophy.