Milei will not attend World Cup final — Superstition keeps him in Argentina

— Argentine President Javier Milei has confirmed he will not travel to the United States for Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain — all because of a superstition.

“Will I go to the match? ABSOLUTELY NOT!” Milei declared. “I will watch the game from my residence in Olivos with my sister, just as I have done since day one. It’s a superstition.”

A Ritual That Cannot Be Broken

Milei has watched every Argentina match at the Quinta de Olivos, the presidential residence on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, alongside his sister Karina Milei, who also serves as Secretary General of the Presidency.He intends to keep that tradition intact for the final.

His commitment extends to his wardrobe. Milei has worn a YPF jacket throughout the tournament and has no intention of changing now. “I watch it always with a jacket from the state oil company, and we win. I never took it off again,” he said. “I sweat like crazy, but the only time I took it off, they scored a goal against us. So I never took it off again,” he explained.

Offering the Casa Rosada — But Staying Out of the Spotlight

If Argentina wins, Milei has offered the Casa Rosada for celebrations — but insists he will not be the protagonist.

“I put the Casa Rosada at their disposal. That day, I’ll empty it. I have nothing to do in that photo,” he stated. “Politics must not appropriate this celebration of the Argentines,” he added, calling it “miserable” to try to capitalize politically on a potential title.

Malvinas: “It Was a Football Match”

Milei also addressed the Malvinas flag displayed by Argentine players after their semi-final victory over England. He called it “understandable” but stressed that “things that happen on the pitch with the players are not part of diplomacy.” “It was a football match,” he said, warning that “the recovery of the islands is achieved with wise diplomacy, not cheap patriotic gestures.” He noted any FIFA fine would likely be around $30,000 and should have no further consequences.

Trump Will Be There

While Milei stays home, US President Donald Trump will attend and is expected to present the trophy at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

A Presidential Tradition

Milei’s decision follows a pattern — neither Alberto Fernández (2014) nor Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (2022) traveled to World Cup finals. For Milei, the ritual stays intact: Olivos, his sister, and that faithful YPF jacket.