Argentina declares national holiday after losing World Cup final

Argentina president Javier Milei has announced there will be a national holiday to celebrate the Albiceleste’s World Cup campaign despite the final ending in defeat.

Milei, who did not attend the title game in New Jersey citing superstition, posted on X: “WORLD CUP CELEBRATIONS. In light of the concerns regarding the celebrations to mark the Argentine national team’s achievement, I would like to inform the public that, 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.”

Argentina’s Football Association (AFA) confirmed that part of the delegation will fly back to Buenos Aires on Monday afternoon while some players will not return home at this time.

“Following the final, some of the squad’s players will travel directly from the United States to various destinations to rejoin their clubs or begin their break,” an AFA statement said. “Meanwhile, part of the delegation — comprising players, the coaching staff and other staff members — will return to Argentina tomorrow [Monday], with arrival scheduled for around 5 p.m.”

Argentina were looking to become the first back-to-back winners of the World Cup since Pele’s Brazil teams did so in 1958 and 1962, but fell short.

Substitute Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 106th minute with a close-range strike to give the European champions their second World Cup crown