The national government confirmed this Sunday that it will declare a national holiday to welcome the Argentine national team after the 2026 World Cup final. President Javier Milei announced it on his social media, although he conditioned the date on what the players and coaching staff decide. «Given the concern about the celebrations for the achievement of the Argentine National Team, I inform the population that, based on what the Players and the Coaching Staff decide regarding the day to celebrate, it will be declared a national holiday,» the president wrote.
The news comes amid strong social and union pressure. Since the round of 16, the State Workers’ Association (ATE) had been demanding time off for match days. Its secretary general, Rodolfo Aguiar, lashed out at the government: «Are you finally going to address the insistent requests we have been making? Is the government considering declaring a national holiday? You gave yourselves time off every time Argentina played,» he posted on his social media. And he added: «This match, this World Cup, goes beyond the strictly sporting. It mobilizes national sentiment and has enormous cultural and historical significance for our country.»
According to this outlet, the AFA has already requested a charter for the squad to return to the country on Monday afternoon. The flight would arrive at 5 p.m. at Ezeiza airport, although the security operation is subject to changes that the association led by Claudio «Chiqui» Tapia may request after the final. «You will have at least four million people on the streets; it is impossible to move, even if you wanted to work like a normal day,» analyzed an important source from the ruling party.
The organization of the celebrations is in charge of the Secretary General of the Presidency, Karina Milei, who designed an operation together with the Military House so that the Executive headquarters is reserved for exclusive use of the squad, with official security. The government has already made the Casa Rosada available to the national team in case they want to use it to greet the people. At the Casa Rosada, they are working on the design of the reception operation for the squad. This Friday, the first in-person meeting was held to outline the strategy, although information is still scarce regarding how the national team will move after the final in New Jersey.
According to official sources, a coordination meeting was held over the weekend at the headquarters of the Ministry of Security, led by Monteoliva. Representatives of the Federal Forces, the Military House, and the Buenos Aires Ministry of Security participated in the meeting. The operation promises to be monumental, with millions of people waiting for the heroes of the runner-up finish.
Milei’s decision, who initially seemed reluctant to declare the holiday, finally yielded to popular and union pressure. «Except for Caputo (who arrived late at the Casa Rosada and put on the jersey to take a little photo), on Wednesday there was no one!» Aguiar joked. «I remind you that other countries have already adopted similar measures even in less decisive instances than the one we are experiencing this Sunday.»
After the Argentine national team’s defeat against Spain, Aguiar insisted: «Mr. President, this national team is an immense pride for the Argentine people. We must guarantee them the recognition they deserve upon their return to the country. It is your obligation to decree the time off throughout the national territory.» An hour later, Milei confirmed the holiday, but clarified that the celebratory day would be subject to the decision of the players and the coaching staff.
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Para mí esto es un choreo a la clase laburante. Milei da feriado por fútbol mientras nos cierra hospitales y escuelas. La izquierda labura y estos viven de la joda. ¡A laburar se dijo, gorila! Me parece una vergüenza que festejen mientras el pueblo la pelea.
Para mí, por fin Milei hace algo bien. Estos zurdos de mierda llorando porque perdimos, pero el feriado es para celebrar el esfuerzo y la patria. Vamos Argentina carajo, aunque sean subcampeones. Los progres que se jodan.