Spanish King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will attend the World Cup final while Argentina President Javier Milei will not support his team in the United States for superstition reasons.
Defending champions Argentina and European champions Spain contest the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Fulfilling a promise made to the team after the final group match against Uruguay to return for a possible final, the royal household in Madrid confirmed that Felipe will travel to the US again for the big match.
He will be accompanied by Queen Letizia, and their children, Crown Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia.
The Spanish government meanwhile said that Sánchez will also be present when La Roja aim for a second World Cup title 16 years after their first.
Argentina seek back-to-back glory and a fourth title overall but will have to do without support on site from Milei.
Asked by radio station El Observador whether he would travel to the United States for the big match in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Milei said: “No, definitely not.”
Milei said he would follow the final like the previous games from home and confirmed that this was part of a personal routine to bring the Albiceleste good luck.
This also includes wearing the same jacket. Milei said he took it off during the quarter-final against Switzerland “and we conceded a goal. I put it on again and have not taken it off since then.”
Known as Cábalas, superstition rituals are part of Argentina’s football culture for many fans. They often watch matches from the same place or wear the same clothes.
Milei said that he would make the presidential palace, the Casa Rosada, available for the team if they win on Sunday for back-to-back titles.
“I will completely vacate it. I have no place in this photo,” Milei said, that politicians should not appropriate this Argentinian celebration.
