The Argentine government is evaluating the declaration of a national holiday or administrative day off for the return of the national soccer team [1].
The measure aims to allow the public to welcome the squad at Ezeiza International Airport and facilitate security logistics following the team's runner-up finish in the 2026 World Cup [2, 3].
Reports on the official status of the holiday are currently conflicting. One report said that President Javier Milei announced a national holiday to allow citizens to celebrate [4], while other sources said the government is still analyzing the possibility of a non-working day without a confirmed decision [1].
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed the flight logistics for the squad's return. The team is scheduled to arrive in Argentina on Monday [5], following the World Cup final played on Sunday [1].
Not all members of the squad will be present on the official flight. The AFA said that a portion of the roster will not return to the country immediately [6]. Specifically, Lionel Messi will not be on the return flight [3, 5].
Local authorities are preparing an operational plan at Ezeiza International Airport to manage the crowds expected upon the team's arrival [2, 4]. The government's decision on the holiday remains a central point of coordination for the city's transport, and security agencies.
“The government is evaluating the declaration of a national holiday or administrative day off.”
The potential for a national holiday reflects the immense cultural weight of the national team in Argentina, regardless of the tournament outcome. However, the absence of Lionel Messi and several other players from the primary return flight suggests a fragmented homecoming, which may impact the scale of public celebrations and the government's final decision on the holiday.
