The Spanish national soccer team made a triumphant return home after clinching the World Cup title for the first time in 16 years.
On Monday, the squad touched down in Spain, meeting with the royal family and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez before embarking on a victory parade through Madrid’s bustling center atop an open-roof bus.
The Associated Press reported that an estimated 2 million fans lined the historic streets of Madrid, creating a sea of red and yellow from the Prime Minister’s Moncloa Palace residence to the iconic Cibeles Square.
The jubilant players, proudly displaying the World Cup trophy and donning shirts emblazoned with Somos Campeones (We are Champions), danced and celebrated with their adoring supporters along the parade route.
Before the festivities began, Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente shared his emotions, saying that it’s been an incredible journey. He’s incredibly proud to represent this amazing country with such passionate fans. The joy it feels is indescribable.
Spain secured their victory with a nail-biting 1-0 win over Argentina in the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This marks their first World Cup triumph since the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
The Spanish squad’s performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of spectacular, boasting 7 wins and 1 draw in 8 matches. Their rock-solid defense conceded just one goal, extending their unbeaten streak to an impressive 38 matches (29 wins, 9 draws) and securing their second World Cup title.
As the final whistle blew, Madrid erupted in celebration. Thousands of ecstatic fans poured out of bars and restaurants, flooding the streets in a sea of red and yellow.
Spain’s World Cup success comes with a hefty financial reward. The team will take home a total of 62.5 million USD, which includes the 50 million USD winner’s purse, a 10 million USD participation bonus, and 2.5 million USD for tournament preparation costs.