Spain PM to attend FIFA World Cup Final, Argentina President to Skip
Spanish PM Sanchez, a vocal critic of US President Donald Trump who plans to attend Sunday's final in New Jersey, meanwhile Trump's close ally and Argentine President Javier Milei however plans to skip it, citing superstition
Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will attend the World Cup final to see his country take on reigning champions Argentina, his government said Friday.
Sanchez, a vocal critic of US President Donald Trump -- who also plans to attend Sunday's final in New Jersey -- will then travel to Algeria for an official visit, his cabinet told AFP.
Spain's King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and their two daughters will also attend the final, the royal palace has said.
Socialist leader Sanchez has long had tense ties with Trump, refusing to let the US military use Spanish bases for its war in Iran and condemning the American operation that ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.
Trump called Spain a "terrible partner in NATO" at an alliance summit in Turkey earlier this month and said the United States did not "want to do any trade business with Spain anymore".
Sanchez looked keen to smooth things over, telling a post-summit press conference that relations between the two countries were "positive".
He said he had held "an informal chat" with Trump about football during the summit and "there was absolutely no kind of tension".
Argentina Prez Milei to Skip World Cup Final
Argentine President Javier Milei however plans to skip it, citing superstition.
Milei said on Thursday he won't be attending the World Cup final because of superstition, instead choosing to view Sunday’s match between Spain and Argentina from home — where he has watched the defending champion's previous seven games, all victories, in the tournament.
In a bid to help his nation’s football team secure its second consecutive title, Milei added, he'll be wearing the same heavy jacket, too.
Fans and players around the world cling to superstitions they believe can bring good luck to their team — or misfortune to their opponents. But in Latin America , and particularly in Argentina, so-called “cábalas," or ritualistic beliefs and habits, carry unusual weight, reflecting the intensity with which many here watch their national team.
When asked Thursday whether he'd travel to New Jersey for Sunday's game to watch alongside his close ally U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, as was widely expected, Milei replied, “No way."
