Spain secured their second FIFA World Cup title on Sunday night, defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in a tense final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The victory, 16 years after Spain's 2010 triumph in South Africa, marks the country's return to the summit of world football. La Roja became the first nation in history to simultaneously hold both the men's and women's World Cups, adding the 2026 men's crown to the women's title won in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
The Spanish squad is due to arrive home on Monday afternoon, where they will be greeted by the Royal Palace and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez before boarding an open-top bus for a victory parade through central Madrid. The procession will travel from Moncloa Palace, the Prime Minister's official residence, to Cibeles Square — the traditional gathering point for Spanish sporting triumphs.
Thousands of fans flooded Madrid's streets immediately after the final whistle on Sunday, with Puerta del Sol and other major squares overflowing with supporters draped in Spanish flags. Celebrations continued into the early hours of Monday morning.
"I'm very happy. I've slept three or four hours, but for the team, I'll do whatever it takes," said 19-year-old supporter Victor Álvarez as he waited at Madrid's Barajas airport to greet the returning champions.
The title also completes a remarkable period for Spanish football. Having dominated European football with a string of club successes and the 2023 Women's World Cup, this victory cements Spain's status as the preeminent force in the global game.
However, the celebrations were tempered by tragedy. Local authorities reported that a 13-year-old boy died in Salamanca after a fountain he had climbed onto with friends collapsed during the festivities.
For many young Spanish supporters, this is the first time they have witnessed their men's national team lift the trophy, and the scenes of jubilation across the country reflect a generation finally experiencing the delight their parents felt in 2010.
Sources
- https://apnews.com/article/spain-fifa-world-cup-champions-team-cd1705a614f6ffd79da5e217f63faaaa
