Argentina President, Javier Milei has announced that the country will hold a national holiday to celebrate the Albiceleste’s run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, despite their 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain.
The date of the holiday will be decided by the players and coaching staff, Milei said in a post on X, adding that the government would officially designate that day as a public holiday.
“Depending on the decision reached by the players and the coaching staff regarding the date of the celebrations, that day will be declared a national holiday,” Milei wrote.
The president, who did not attend Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey because of what he described as superstition, also thanked the team for their efforts.
“Thank you so much, players… Fighting to the very end. Argentina always held high,” he posted.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA), confirmed that part of the delegation, including members of the coaching staff and several players, will return to Buenos Aires on Monday, arriving in the evening.
However, some players will travel directly from the United States to rejoin their clubs or begin their post-tournament holidays instead of returning to Argentina immediately.
Argentina had hoped to become the first nation to successfully defend the men’s World Cup title since Brazil achieved the feat in 1958 and 1962. Those hopes ended when Spain substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute of extra time to secure a 1-0 victory.
Spain controlled much of the final, while Argentina’s challenge became even harder after Enzo Fernández was sent off in the 93rd minute. Reduced to 10 men, Argentina did not register their first shot until the 117th minute, when Lionel Messi’s effort was blocked.
Although Argentina fell short of retaining the trophy, the team’s run to a second consecutive World Cup final will now be marked with nationwide celebrations in recognition of their achievement.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
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