Spain will have their highest political and royal representatives cheering from the stands when they take on Argentina in the 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 Lionel Messi-led Argentina. King Felipe VI is also expected to be present, underlining 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 set to attract a host of world leaders, with US President 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 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 Iran conflict, Spain’s NATO defence spending commitments and Washington’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the 2023 Hamas attacks.Despite those differences, both leaders will be present for football’s biggest occasion, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino also expected to attend the final and trophy presentation.Spain will be hoping to cap 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 over stadium seat
While Spain’s top leaders will be in attendance, Argentina President Javier Milei has decided against travelling to New Jersey despite invitations to join Trump and Infantino.Milei revealed that he would remain at the presidential residence in Buenos Aires, convinced that watching matches from home has brought 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 have won every World Cup match that 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 labelled a “mufa” (jinx) following Argentina’s shock defeat to Cameroon at the 1990 World Cup.
