Argentina vs. Spain: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI. will attend the World Cup finals while Argentine President Javier Milei stays at home

L-R: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez; Spain players; and King Felipe VI (AP Photos) Spain will have its top political and royal representatives cheering from the stands when they take on Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI. is expected to attend the spectacular encounter in East Rutherford, New Jersey.Sánchez’s office confirmed on Friday that the Spanish prime minister will travel to the United States for the finals, where European champions Spain will bid for their second World Cup title against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. King Felipe VI is also expected to be in attendance to underline the significance of the occasion for Spanish football as La Roja chase their first World Cup triumph since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.The final is expected to attract a number of world leaders, US President Donald Trump has also confirmed his participation at the New York-New Jersey stadium.

Spain represented at the highest level

The presence of Sánchez and King Felipe VI. it reflects the huge importance attached to Spain’s participation in the World Cup finals.Their participation also comes against a backdrop of strained diplomatic relations between Sánchez and Trump. The two leaders have publicly disagreed in recent months on several international issues, including the Iran conflict, Spain’s commitment to NATO defense spending and Washington’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following attacks by Hamas in 2023.Despite these differences, both leaders will be present at football’s biggest event, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino expected to attend the final and the trophy presentation.Spain will be hoping to cap off a remarkable campaign by ending Argentina’s reign as world champions and securing just the second World Cup title in the country’s history.

Milei opted for superstition over a stadium seat

While Spain’s top officials will be in attendance, Argentina’s 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 presidential residence in Buenos Aires, believing that watching the matches from home has brought Argentina good luck throughout the tournament.The Argentine leader cited the local soccer tradition of cábalas – superstitious rituals on match day – as the reason for skipping the final.Argentina have won every World Cup match Milei has watched from home and the president said he was unwilling to break the routine ahead of the title game.His decision also follows a long-standing belief in Argentine football circles that sitting presidents should avoid attending key World Cup matches after former president Carlos Menem was branded a “mufa” (jinx) following Argentina’s shock defeat to Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup.