Spain followers pack Cibeles Sq. in Madrid on July 20, 2026, as they await the arrival of Spain´s gamers at some point after the nationwide soccer group received their second World Cup title following a 1-0 victory towards Argentina. — AFPKing Felipe VI meets Spanish delegation at Zarzuela Palace.Says gamers had been “united” on their “odyssey” to win event.Giant crowds in nationwide group colors collect in Madrid.
Spain’s Fifa World Cup winners had been hailed by the nation’s king on Monday in Madrid after getting back from the USA with the sport’s most desired trophy in tow.
King Felipe VI and the royal household met the Spanish delegation, led by captain Rodri and coach Luis de la Fuente, at Zarzuela Palace earlier than the gamers proceed their journey into town with one million followers anticipated to have fun with them.
“You have shown your grit, your resilience and your courage, always backed by your technical skill, your control and command of the game, combining head and heart,” the king advised La Roja’s stars, who had been wearing fits.
Spain beat Argentina on Sunday in extra-time due to Ferran Torres’s strike to clinch their second World Cup, following a primary victory in 2010.
The king was joined by Queen Letizia, who wore a pink costume to match the color of the Spanish group’s jerseys, and their two daughters, Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia.
Felipe greeted and shook palms with every participant, leaning in for a hug with Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
The king advised the gamers that they had been “united” on their “odyssey” to win the expanded 48-team event.
The squad is because of meet Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez after which participate in an open-top bus parade by way of central Madrid, the place giant crowds in nationwide group colors had already gathered.
Spain captain Rodri held the World Cup trophy aloft on the prime of the steps as he descended from the Iberia airplane that flew the group house after clinching their second star.
Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente (left), Spain’s midfielder Rodri (centre) and President of the Spanish Soccer Federation Rafael Louzan (third from left) pose with their trophy upon their arrival from the US after profitable the 2026 World Cup, in Madrid Barajas’ airport, on July 20, 2026. — AFP
Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday sparked an outpouring of nationwide delight within the football-mad nation.
Many youthful supporters weren’t but born when Andres Iniesta’s extra-time purpose towards the Netherlands secured Spain’s first World Cup in South Africa 16 years in the past.
On Monday morning, the Castellana, Madrid’s important avenue, bore the marks of a boozy night — the tarmac strewn with trash, beer cans and shards of glass.
Among the many final remaining supporters, some slept with grins on their faces on the pavement or on benches, whereas others had been nonetheless staggering house as cleansing crews labored from the early hours to organize the route for tonight’s celebration.
Spain followers collect at Cibeles Sq. in Madrid forward of the parade as they have fun after profitable the Fifa World Cup 2026, Madrid, Spain, July 20, 2026. — Reuters
Spain’s World Cup winners’ bus parade begins on the Prime Minister’s residence Moncloa earlier than heading to Cibeles sq..
A ceremony involving the gamers will then be held on the sq., the standard gathering level for celebrations by the Spanish nationwide group and its supporters.
Some followers, who already had solely a brief evening’s sleep, are planning to have fun once more, like Bruno Gonzalez del Yerro, a 32-year-old financier.
“We’ll have to celebrate it one way or another, given that it only happens every four years and that Spain hadn’t won it for about (sixteen) years now — it definitely deserves a party,” he mentioned.
Each trophies
Spain’s ladies’s aspect received the World Cup in 2023, that means for the primary time a rustic has each trophies on the similar time.
In 2030 Spain will defend their crown on house soil, as one of many World Cup hosts together with Portugal and Morocco.
The Spanish press was operating out of superlatives to explain its heroes after they overcame favourites France within the semi-finals earlier than downing Argentina.
“The kings of all-time!” wrote Marca, celebrating a “second star that will now be stitched onto the Spanish jersey after yet another masterclass in collective play.”
On a tragic notice, a 13-year-old boy was killed round midnight within the city of Ciudad Rodrigo within the west, after a fountain crumbled underneath the load of supporters who had climbed onto it to have fun Spain’s victory.
Argentina, regardless of the presence of all-time nice Lionel Messi, did not create clear possibilities towards Spain’s well-organised and extra constructive aspect within the remaining.
US President Donald Trump and Fifa President Gianni Infantino applaud after presenting the World Cup trophy to Spain after its victory within the 2026 World Cup remaining at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, US, July 19, 2026. — Reuters
Enzo Fernandez’s pink card left Argentina with their backs pinned to the wall and Barcelona ahead Torres slammed house after fellow substitute Nico Williams teed him up.
“It’s not my goal, it’s the goal of 47 million people,” mentioned Spain’s match-winner.
Messi had a sensational World Cup however drifted by way of the ultimate like a ghost, shedding tears on the finish. In Madrid, tears can even circulation on Monday evening, however tears of pleasure.
