Freeze Kane: Argentina fans pin hopes on bizarre superstitions ahead of England clash
Argentina fans are leaving little to chance ahead of their World Cup semi-final against England, putting captain Harry Kane’s name in the freezer and faithfully repeating rituals they believe bring the national team good luck on the pitch.
The practices are part of Argentina’s long tradition of “cabal” – superstitions that fans believe can influence a team’s fortunes.
As defending champions Argentina prepare to face England for a place in the final, supporters are clinging to the routines they say have helped them achieve past victories.
Many refuse to say opponents’ names, wear the same oft-washed jerseys, sit in the same seats and eat the same meals before each game, convinced that changing anything could jeopardize the team’s chances of lifting another trophy.
“My friends and I have a ritual,” said 13-year-old Ines Mutri. “We write the name of the star player and the goalkeeper on the same paper and freeze it in the freezer,” she said.
“We’re going to freeze Kane this time because he’s the best scorer,” she added.
In a country where soccer inspires an almost religious devotion, such rituals, fans say, offer a sense of control over an outcome that ultimately remains beyond their control.
The tradition runs deep. Carlos Bilardo, the coach who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, became famous for elaborate superstitions such as dictating the order in which they entered the pitch, helping to cement the “cabal” in Argentine football folklore.
Even current coach Lionel Scaloni recognized his own ritual. “I will step on the court with my right foot and make the sign of the cross,” he said during the tournament.
Some habits develop over time. During this year’s World Cup, fans shared AI-generated images on social media showing opposing players frozen in blocks of ice, a symbolic way to prevent dangerous opponents from moving, scoring or attacking.
The idea was translated into real life. Student Juan Pablo Calvo, 18, said he plans to freeze Jude Bellingham’s name because he considers him a “tremendous player”, although he remains confident in Argentina.
The match revives one of the most famous international football rivalries, from Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986 to a series of unforgettable knockout encounters.
For the semi-final, Calvo is wearing a shirt like Maradona’s in the 1986 World Cup when Argentina lifted the trophy.
“Even though Messi has already won all the trophies there is to win, it’s a special occasion because he’s never faced England in a game like this, let alone a semi-final,” Calvo said.
Other fans say that repetition is the most important ‘cabala’. Once Argentina wins, every detail of the day must be recreated for the next match: the same people, the same seat, the same shirt and, if possible, the same food.
Mutri watches with eight friends who wear the same hats and sit in the same seats every game.
“I feel the game against England will be nerve-wracking like all the others,” she said. “But it’ll be good. It’ll be fun.”
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
15 Jul 2026 11:22 IST