Spain’s World Cup-winning soccer team will return home on Monday, welcomed by royalty and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The 26-man squad will then board an open-top bus for a parade through central Madrid.
Crowds will gather from near Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s official residence, to Cibeles Square. A ceremony at the square will follow, continuing the tradition of past national team celebrations.
Spain secured the trophy on Sunday by defeating former champion Argentina 1-0 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This marks only the second time—after a 2010 win in South Africa—that Spain has claimed the title.
The Spanish capital burst into festivities after the victory, with supporters flooding the streets. Many were adorned in Spanish flags or team colors.
Thousands filled Madrid’s Puerta de Sol and other squares, engaging in singing, dancing, and setting off flares while car horns echoed through the capital.
Celebrations extended into Monday’s early hours. “I’m very happy. I’ve slept three or four hours, but for the team, I’ll do whatever it takes,” remarked Victor Álvarez, 19, Monday morning.
The World Cup victory, along with Spain’s Women’s World Cup win in 2023, makes Spain the first nation to hold both titles simultaneously.
Despite the joy, a tragic incident marred the celebrations. A 13-year-old in Salamanca, northwest of Madrid, died when a fountain he climbed with friends collapsed.
For many young fans, this triumph is their first witnessing the men’s team lift the trophy and the national celebration that ensues.
Ahead of the team’s return, fans gathered at Madrid’s Barajas airport’s arrivals hall, wearing team jerseys and waving Spanish flags. Supporters also claimed spots near Cibeles Square early, with umbrellas to shield against the sun, as temperatures are expected to reach 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit).
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