Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup-winning squad returned to Madrid on July 20, local time, to a hero's welcome, receiving the nation's highest honours after lifting the country's second World Cup title.
King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez all met the newly crowned champions before the team embarked on an open-top bus parade through the Spanish capital. According to the Spanish government's delegation in Madrid, around 1.8 million fans lined the streets to celebrate the historic triumph.
Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final in New Jersey, US, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal to secure the country's first world title since 2010 and the second World Cup crown in its history.
The squad arrived at Madrid-Barajas Airport aboard a charter flight earlier in the day, where captain Rodri and head coach Luis de la Fuente were the first to emerge from the aircraft, proudly raising the FIFA World Cup Trophy. The delegation then travelled to the Palace of Zarzuela for an audience with the Spanish royal family.
Addressing the team, King Felipe VI described the victory as "epic" and praised the players for writing another chapter in Spanish sporting history.
"You have returned exhausted, but it is the happiest kind of exhaustion," the King said. "Sixteen years ago, some of you were only babies. Today, you have made Spain world champions once again. Those two stars will shine forever, and you have become legends in the history of Spanish football and Spanish sport."
The team later travelled to the Moncloa Palace, where Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez thanked the players for bringing pride to the nation and expressed hope that Spain could challenge for a third World Cup title when the country co-hosts the 2030 tournament alongside Portugal and Morocco.
Following the official receptions, the players changed into commemorative championship shirts and boarded an open-top bus for a victory parade through central Madrid.
The city's streets were transformed into a sea of red and yellow as fans waved Spanish flags, sang national team anthems and set off fireworks. Players stood atop the bus to celebrate with supporters, posing for selfies and lifting the World Cup trophy throughout the procession.
The celebrations concluded at the traditional gathering point of Plaza de Cibeles, where around 120,000 supporters packed the square, bringing the day's festivities to a climax.
Speaking on stage, head coach Luis de la Fuente thanked the fans and described his 26-man squad as "not only the best footballers, but also the best people," adding that coaching the world champions had been the greatest honour of his career.
Captain Rodri said winning the World Cup for Spain represented the pinnacle of his career.
"Our generation grew up watching Iker Casillas and Andres Iniesta lift the World Cup," he said. "Now it is our turn to do it. There is nothing greater in football."
Spain's triumph marked the men's national team's first World Cup title in 16 years. Combined with Spain's victory at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the country has also become the first nation in history to simultaneously hold both the men's and women's World Cup titles.
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