Argentina president to watch World Cup final on TV, fearing bad luck

Argentina's President Javier Milei has opted to watch the upcoming World Cup final between his nation and Spain on television from his residence, eschewing the opportunity to attend the match in person. This decision stems from a deeply ingrained local superstition known as 'cábalas.'

In many Latin American countries, particularly Argentina, 'cábalas' involve rituals believed to bring good luck, such as wearing the same jersey or watching from a specific location. For Milei, the specific superstition dictates that the president's direct attendance at a national team match invites misfortune.

This belief is not without historical precedent. During the 1990 World Cup, then-defending champions Argentina suffered a surprising 0-1 defeat to Cameroon in their opening match, an event that occurred while President Carlos Menem was in the stadium. This incident has contributed to the lingering superstition among Argentine presidents regarding attending national team games.

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President Milei will watch the 2026 North and Central America World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on TV from his residence in Olivos, Argentina.