Published July 20, 2026
A million jubilant Spanish supporters are expected to welcome their heroes in Madrid on Monday as the World Cup winners return home with a second star.
Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday, secured by a Ferran Torres goal in extra time, sparked an outpouring of national pride in a soccer-mad nation whose only World Cup victory was in 2010.
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Spanish newspaper Marca reported that coach Luis de la Fuente and his team plane were scheduled to land in Madrid at 12:50pm (10:50 GMT) with the golden trophy after a dominant performance in which they showed “complete control” against a “helpless Argentina team”.
Sixteen years ago, when Andres Iniesta’s extra-time goal against the Netherlands sealed Spain’s first ever appearance at the World Cup in South Africa, many young supporters weren’t even born yet.
On Monday morning, Madrid’s main thoroughfare, Calle Castellana, still bore the remains of a night of booze, with trash, beer cans and broken glass littering the tarmac.
Some of the last remaining supporters grinned and slept on sidewalks and benches, while others stumbled home as cleaning crews worked early in the morning to prepare routes for tonight’s party.
Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez Almeida told RNE radio: “We didn’t get much sleep because of the stress of the celebrations and the game afterwards. I think it was a little difficult for everyone to fall asleep.”
After landing, the players will be welcomed by King Felipe VI at the Zarzuela Palace on the outskirts of Madrid, the mayor said.
It is still unclear whether the team will meet at the government headquarters in La Moncloa, as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had to make an urgent visit to Algeria.
Spain’s World Cup winners will depart from Moncloa and enjoy a parade of open-top buses heading to Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid’s central government representative Francisco Martín told Spanish public television.
The players will then hold a ceremony in the square, the traditional gathering place for the Spanish national team and its supporters to celebrate.
Martin explained that approximately 1 million people are expected to line the parade route, and additional safety measures and transportation arrangements are being planned to deal with the crowds.
A total of 2,050 police officers and 400 civil servants will be deployed, he added.
Some supporters who have already had little sleep, like 32-year-old investor Bruno Gonzalez del Jero, are planning to celebrate again.
“We have to celebrate this tournament in some way, considering it’s only held once every four years and Spain hasn’t won it for about (16) years. It definitely deserves a party,” he said.
Spain’s women’s team winning the 2023 World Cup means that for the first time a country has won both trophies at the same time.
In 2030, Spain will defend its title on home soil as one of the countries hosting the World Cup, along with Portugal and Morocco.
The Spanish press ran out of superlatives to describe their country’s heroes after defeating favorites France and defeating Argentina in the semi-finals.
“The King of All Time!” Marca wrote an article celebrating “the second star to be sewn onto Spain’s uniform after another masterclass in collective play.”
Tragically, around midnight in the western town of Ciudad Rodrigo, a 13-year-old boy was killed when a fountain collapsed under the weight of supporters who had climbed onto it to celebrate.
In Buenos Aires, the initial calm after the defeat was impressive, but when the reality hit me, I burst into tears. Hopes of a fourth World Cup appearance have been dashed, but hundreds of thousands of people are expected to welcome the team back at 5pm local time (20:00 GMT).
After an expanded format and more than five weeks of competition among 48 teams, only Spain and Argentina remained by the 104th final.
The 2022 champions were unable to create any clear chances against Spain’s better-organized and more aggressive side, despite the presence of the all-time great Lionel Messi.
A red card for Enzo Fernandes had Argentina’s backs against the wall, but Barcelona forward Torres scored with a kick taken in by fellow substitute Nico Williams.
“That’s not my goal, it’s the goal of 47 million people,” said the Spanish match-winner.
Messi was sensational at the World Cup, but he was a ghost in the final, crying at the end. There will be tears in Madrid on Monday night, but they will be tears of joy.
