Milei vs. AFA: Argentine leader sacrifices Trump meeting for soccer battle

Argentine President Javier Milei has canceled his trip to the U.S. Milei had been expected to attend the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington on Dec. 5 as a high-ranking representative of the reigning world champion and as a special guest of Donald Trump.

A signal to the AFA

The Spanish newspaper Marca reports that Milei is sending a clear message by withdrawing from the event: He is distancing himself from the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The apparent trigger may have been the AFA’s Nov. 27 decision to impose a six-month suspension on Juan Sebastián Verón, president of Estudiantes, who is in open conflict with the federation.

Support for Verón and his club surfaced quickly — and unexpectedly — from Argentina’s government. Milei’s official account even posted a photo of the empty presidential chair with a red-and-white Estudiantes jersey displayed in the background.

FIFA, CONMEBOL warn against interference

The dispute between Argentina’s government and the AFA remains murky, with no clear consensus on who is in the right. FIFA and CONMEBOL have warned that any government interference in the AFA’s governance could result in Argentina being barred from international competition.