Spain will have their most senior political and royal representatives cheering from the stands when they face Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Philip VI both expected to attend the showpiece match 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 fight for their second World Cup title against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. 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 triumph since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.The final is expected to attract a host of world leaders, including the President of the United States Donald Trump also confirming his attendance at the New York-New Jersey Stadium.
Spain represented at the highest level
The presence of Sánchez and King Felipe VI reflects the enormous importance attached to Spain’s appearance in the World Cup finals.His presence 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 Iran conflict, Spain’s NATO defense spending commitments and Washington’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following Hamas attacks in 2023.Despite these differences, both leaders will be present for football’s biggest occasion, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino also expected to attend the final and the presentation of the trophies.Spain will be hoping to cap off a remarkable campaign by ending Argentina’s reign as world champions and securing only the second World Cup title in the country’s history.
Milei opts for superstition on the stadium seat
While the main Spanish leaders will be present, Argentina President Javier Milei has decided not to travel to New Jersey despite invitations to join Trump and Infantino.Milei revealed that he is staying at the presidential residence in Buenos Aires, convinced that watching the games from home has brought luck to Argentina throughout the tournament.The Argentine leader cited the country’s football tradition of cabalas – superstitious daily rituals – as the reason for skipping the final.Argentina have won every World Cup game Milei has watched from home, and the president said he was unwilling to break the routine ahead of the title clash.His decision also follows a long-standing belief in Argentine football circles that sitting presidents should avoid attending crucial World Cup matches after former president Carlos Menem was called a “mufa” (jinx) following Argentina’s shock defeat to Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup.