Argentina Fans Rally for World Cup Glory, Superstitions Run Deep — Even the President Has Rituals

2026 World Cup Key News

(Central News Agency, Buenos Aires, 16th — international wire reports) Argentina will face Spain in the FIFA World Cup final on the afternoon of the 19th (early morning of the 20th in Taiwan time). Nervous fans are pulling out all the stops to attract good fortune, with even the Argentine president adhering to strict match-day taboos.

According to AFP, Argentina, led by football superstar Lionel Messi, advanced to the final after a 2-1 comeback victory over England in the semifinals, putting them one win away from defending their title. As adrenaline surges, fans are adopting unique rituals to manage their anxiety.

Andres Gonzalez, a self-proclaimed 'crazy football fan,' told AFP that during matches, everyone must stay in their designated seats. 'If someone goes to the bathroom and a goal is scored at that moment, we lock them inside. They stay there until the game ends,' he said, to avoid 'ruining the luck.'

Even President Javier Milei revealed his personal superstition. In an interview with radio station El Observador, he stated he watches every World Cup match from the presidential residence—'no exceptions.'

Estela Vargas, a 65-year-old woman, has a strict household ritual: the entire family wears the same clothes, sits in the same chairs, and the dog must stay outside.

'For the England match, since our dog is a British Bulldog, we made it wear an Argentina jersey. But for the Spain game, rain or shine, it has to stay outside,' she said.

Sociologist Diego Murzi told AFP, 'In football, Argentines don't see themselves as mere spectators—they feel like protagonists. These rituals are part of that sense of participation, meant to attract good luck and ward off bad omens.'

Murzi noted that Carlos Bilardo, the coach who led Argentina to victory in 1986, 'was a man of science, yet extremely superstitious.'

During Argentina's first match that year, a phone in the locker room rang. A player answered, but no one spoke. Argentina won, so Bilardo made it a ritual: before every match, the same number was dialed, the same player answered, and no one said a word.

Lidia Otero, a 74-year-old retiree, claimed, 'All my rituals always work.' She demonstrated for AFP: when the opposing team has the ball, she makes specific hand gestures and shouts at the TV.

'During the first half against England, the dog stared at the screen—and Argentina didn't score. You know what? In the second half, I turned it around, and then the game turned around,' she said.

The ancient tradition of 'freezing the opponent' also persists. Rodrigo Serna, an 11-year-old Messi superfan, said, 'I stick the opposing players' stickers into the fridge. My grandfather taught me that.' (Compiled by Lu Ying-tzu) 1150717