Spain’s newly victorious World champions have returned home to a rousing celebration as more than two million supporters poured into Madrid on Monday (July 20) to celebrate La Roja’s historic World Cup 2026 win.
The Spanish team defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, sealing Spain’s second World Cup title and sending celebrations all around the country.
But the biggest celebration was saved for Madrid.
As the team returned to Spain, huge crowds filled the capital. More than 1.8 million fans were among the crowd who watched the team’s victory celebrations through the streets of Madrid, and the city was red and yellow. Fans sang Spanish songs and thanked the team for such a successful campaign as the players marched through the city in a transport bus.
The celebrations reached their emotional high point at the Plaza de Cibeles, usually a site of great celebrations in Spanish sports. There the players lifted the World Cup trophy in front of thousands of passionate fans who had gathered to witness the watershed.
Before the public parade, the Spanish team received a royal welcome. The players met King Felipe VI and members of the Spanish royal family at the Zarzuela Palace. The victory was a national moment of pride for our team, said Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister.
The celebrations were a reflection of the significance of Spain’s victory. La Roja dominated much of the tournament with their possession-based football, technical quality and tactical control. Spain defeated France 2-0 in the semi-final and Argentina in a tricky final which went 0-0 for 90 minutes. Torres finally broke the deadlock in extra time to win the trophy.
For Spain, the victory was a return to the top of world football. The nation had won the World Cup in 2010, and the 2026 victory was the second world title.
The celebrations continued late into the evening with captain Rodri and the rest of the team welcomed like national heroes as soon as they arrived at the stadium for victory. The crowd in Madrid was a celebration of a nation united behind its football team, with fans of all ages out in full force in support of one of the greatest sporting achievements in Spanish history.
From the airport welcome to the royal reception and the massive parade through the heart of Madrid, Spain’s World Cup celebrations became a spectacle of their own.
