Pedro Sanchez will not travel to New York to support Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final, it has emerged.
Spain will face either England or Argentina at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday at 9pm Spanish time, after Luis de la Fuente’s side secured a place in the final with a 2-0 victory over France.
However, government sources have confirmed that attending the final is ‘not planned’ for the prime minister, who is instead due to embark on an official visit to Algeria the following day.
The prime minister also missed Spain’s semi-final in Dallas, choosing instead to travel to Paris for France’s Bastille Day celebrations, where he met Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire before attending the traditional military parade.
Despite his absence, Sanchez congratulated the national team on social media after the victory over France, writing: ‘Spectacular, into the final!
‘Once again, the Spanish national team makes us dream. Vamos, España!’
He also praised the team during Wednesday’s ceremony marking the removal of the Gibraltar border fence in La Linea.
‘Thank you to our national team for making us vibrate and dream,’ he said.
‘Hopefully the second star is just around the corner. I have no doubt we will achieve it this Sunday.’
The Royal Family, meanwhile, will once again be in the stands after watching Spain’s semi-final together wearing the national team’s away shirts.
King Felipe VI has already attended one of Spain’s World Cup matches in person, travelling to Guadalajara, Mexico, last month for the group-stage clash against Uruguay following an official meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
