Read 3 minutesUpdated: 17 July 2026 01:48 PM IST
Superstition, as it is locally known the CabalaFootball is deeply woven into Argentina’s culture. Whether wearing the same clothes, sitting in the same spot, avoiding washing jerseys or refusing to move during a game, fans often repeat the same routine during a winning run.
That could prevent its president, Javier Maile, from attending Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as Argentina aim to defend their historic title against Spain.
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Speaking to a local Buenos Aires radio station on Thursday, Miley, 55, said there was “no way” he could sit down with his American counterpart within the confines of Olivos, his presidential residence. Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the final.
“I will continue to watch all Olivos’ games,” he told El Observer. Miley had already tested the waters during Lionel Messi and Co’s quarter-final action against Switzerland, a decision rooted in his superstition.
“Because it’s cold and I don’t turn on the heat, I wear an oil company branded jacket. On the day of the Switzerland match, I got really hot. I took it off, and they scored against us. I put it back on and never took it off again,” he added.
Argentina’s president has been cautious about attending high-stakes World Cup matches to avoid bringing bad luck to his teams. The superstition dates back to the 1990 tournament, when then-president Carlos Menem visited Argentina before their shock opening defeat to Cameroon.
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Menem was given the name “Mufa”. No sitting Argentine president is known to have attended a national team match since then.
The Albiceleste are aiming to become the first team since Brazil to defend their World Cup title in 64 years. Messi’s men staged a stunning comeback in the semi-finals earlier this week, beating England despite trailing by a goal until the 85th minute. Among the Mailai, and for the faithful of Argentina, these changes may have been made possible in part by their own unique rituals. the Cabala
– With AP input