Spain’s World Cup-winning squad received a spectacular homecoming on Monday as more than one million fans packed the streets of Madrid to celebrate La Roja’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Fresh from landing in the Spanish capital, Luis de la Fuente’s players met King Felipe VI and the royal family before visiting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The squad then boarded an open-top bus for a victory parade through Madrid’s city centre, with supporters creating a sea of red and yellow all the way to the iconic Cibeles Square.
Players waved the World Cup trophy to jubilant crowds, while some celebrated shirtless and others sang and danced aboard the bus beneath the slogan “Kings of the World“.
King Felipe praised the champions for their resilience throughout the tournament.
“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 Spanish monarch said.
Captain Rodri lifted the trophy as he stepped off Spain’s flight from the United States before describing the World Cup as the greatest achievement of his career.
“I’ve always said it, winning with your country is the most beautiful thing there is, above all a World Cup,” Rodri said. “This generation grew up watching Iker Casillas and Andres Iniesta lift the cup and that we can do it today is the biggest thing you can do in football.”
Match-winner Ferran Torres, whose extra-time strike settled Sunday’s final in New Jersey, admitted the celebrations had barely sunk in.
“I’m very happy to see how excited all of the children are and to have the parade and celebrate with all of the Spaniards,” Torres said. “I’m flying, literally.”
More than 120,000 supporters gathered at Cibeles Square, where Spain’s players were due to continue the celebrations with a trophy presentation and live concert.
Prime Minister Sanchez also challenged the new world champions to defend their title when Spain co-hosts the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco.
“It’s two for two,” Sanchez said. “Why not dream of a third in 2030, especially with Spain as hosts?”
Spain’s triumph also created history, with the country becoming the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles after the women’s team lifted the trophy in 2023.
