As Argentina prepares for its World Cup semi‑final showdown with England, the nation’s supporters have turned to an old habit: superstition. From Buenos Aires cafés to living rooms across the country, fans are weaving rituals they call ‘cabalas’ into the buildup, hoping to tilt the odds in their favour.
Rituals of the Past Influence the Present
One of the most eye‑catching practices involves freezing the name of England’s captain Harry Kane in a household freezer. Thirteen‑year‑old Ines Mutri and her circle of friends have taken the gesture further, writing the names of star players and goalkeepers on paper before placing the sheets in the icebox, a ritual they believe can lock in good fortune.
The tradition is not new. In 1986, World Cup‑winning coach Carlos Bilardo was famous for his elaborate good‑luck charms, and today Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni repeats his own routine, stepping onto the pitch with his right foot and making the sign of the cross before each match.
Digital Echoes and New Believers
Social media has amplified the phenomenon, with AI‑generated images of rival players encased in ice circulating among fan groups. Student Juan Pablo Calvo, inspired by the viral trend, says he will freeze the name of England’s rising star Jude Bellingham as part of his personal superstition.
The upcoming clash also revives a rivalry that dates back to Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal in 1986. Calvo has even donned a shirt reminiscent of the one Maradona wore that year, believing that replicating every detail of that historic victory could summon a similar outcome.
For many supporters, the rituals are less about magic and more about community. Ines Mutri watches the games with eight friends who all wear identical hats and occupy the same seats, a synchronized routine that reinforces a shared sense of control over an unpredictable result.