Spain will have their top political and royal representatives cheering from the stands when they take on Argentina in FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI both expected to attend the showpiece clash in East Rutherford, New Jersey.Sánchez’s office confirmed on Friday that the Spanish prime minister will travel to the United States for the final, where European champions Spain will bid for their second World Cup title against Argentina led by Lionel Messi. King Felipe VI is also expected to attend, underscoring the importance of the occasion for Spanish football as La Roja chase their first World Cup win since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.The final is set to attract many world leaders, including the US President Donald Trump also confirmed his attendance at the New York-New Jersey Stadium.
Spain represents the highest level
The presence of Sánchez and King Felipe VI shows the great importance attached to Spain’s appearance in the World Cup final.Their attendance also comes against the backdrop of strained diplomatic relations between Sánchez and Trump. The two leaders have publicly disagreed on several international issues in recent months, including the conflict with Iran, NATO defense spending commitments in Spain and Washington’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza after the 2023 Hamas attack.Despite the differences, the two leaders will be present for football’s biggest event, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino also expected to attend the final and trophy presentation.Spain will be hoping to end a remarkable campaign by ending Argentina’s reign as world champions and claim only the second World Cup title in the country’s history.
Milei chose superstition over a stadium seat
While Spain’s top leaders will attend, Argentine President Javier Milei has decided not to travel to New Jersey despite invitations to join Trump and Infantino.Milei revealed that he will stay at the president’s residence in Buenos Aires, convinced that watching the matches from home brings Argentina luck throughout the tournament.The Argentine leader cited the country’s football tradition of cábalas — superstitious match-day rituals — as the reason for skipping the final.Argentina has won every World Cup match Milei has watched from home, and the president said he did not want to break the routine ahead of the title clash.His decision also follows a long-standing belief among Argentine football groups that sitting presidents should refrain from attending important World Cup games after former president Carlos Menem was branded a “mufa” (jinx) following Argentina’s shock loss to Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup.