Spain’s World Cup Champions Return Home for Royal Welcome, Madrid Parade/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Spain’s World Cup champions are returning home Monday for a royal reception and an open-top bus parade through central Madrid. The team defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time Sunday to capture Spain’s second men’s World Cup title. Thousands celebrated overnight, although the festivities were marred by the death of a 13-year-old after a fountain collapsed in Salamanca.
Quick Look
- Spain’s 26-player World Cup squad returns home Monday.
- Spanish royalty and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will welcome the team.
- The players will travel through central Madrid on an open-top bus.
- The parade will begin near Moncloa Palace and end at Cibeles Square.
- A public ceremony will be held with the players at Cibeles.
- Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s World Cup final.
- The victory gave Spain its second men’s World Cup championship.
- Spain previously won the tournament in South Africa in 2010.
- Thousands celebrated across Madrid after the final.
- Crowds gathered at Puerta del Sol and other major public squares.
- Supporters waited at Barajas Airport to welcome the team.
- Temperatures in Madrid were expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius, or 95 Fahrenheit.
- Spain is the first country to hold the men’s and women’s World Cup titles simultaneously.
- A 13-year-old died in Salamanca after a fountain collapsed during celebrations.
Spain’s World Cup Champions Return Home
MADRID — Spain’s World Cup-winning men’s soccer team is returning home Monday for a royal reception and a public victory parade through the center of Madrid.
The 26-player squad will be welcomed by members of Spain’s royal family and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez before boarding an open-top bus.
Thousands of supporters are expected to line the parade route and gather at Cibeles Square to celebrate the country’s second men’s World Cup championship.
Open-Top Bus Parade Through Madrid
The team will begin its journey near Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s official residence.
The open-top bus will then carry the players through central Madrid toward Cibeles Square.
The square has traditionally served as a gathering place for Spanish national teams and their supporters following major international victories.
A public ceremony featuring the players will be held after the team arrives.
Spain Defeats Argentina in World Cup Final
Spain captured the trophy Sunday after defeating defending champion Argentina 1-0 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute of extra time.
The victory marked only the second men’s World Cup championship in Spanish history. Spain won its first title in South Africa in 2010.
The result ended Argentina’s attempt to win consecutive World Cups and denied Lionel Messi a second straight championship.
Madrid Erupts After Final Whistle
Celebrations began across the Spanish capital immediately after the final whistle.
Thousands of supporters poured out of bars and restaurants and into Madrid’s streets. Many wore the national team’s colors or wrapped themselves in Spanish flags.
Crowds filled Puerta del Sol and other prominent public squares, where fans sang, danced and lit flares.
Car horns echoed across Madrid as the celebrations continued into the early hours of Monday.
Supporters Gather at Barajas Airport
Fans also traveled to Madrid’s Barajas Airport to welcome the players when they arrived home.
Supporters wearing Spain jerseys and carrying national flags waited in the arrivals hall ahead of the team’s return.
Other groups began claiming places near Cibeles Square late Monday morning.
Some brought umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun as temperatures were forecast to reach 35 degrees Celsius, or 95 Fahrenheit.
Spain Holds Both World Cup Titles
Spain’s victory created a first in international soccer.
The country is now the first to hold the men’s and women’s World Cup championships simultaneously.
Spain’s women won their first World Cup title in 2023. The men’s victory three years later completed the historic achievement.
For many younger supporters, Sunday’s result marked the first time they had witnessed Spain’s men win the World Cup and experience the nationwide celebrations that followed.
Celebration Marred by Teenager’s Death
The national festivities were overshadowed by a fatal accident in Salamanca, northwest of Madrid.
Local authorities said a 13-year-old died after a fountain he had climbed with friends during the celebrations collapsed.
The tragedy occurred as supporters gathered in public spaces across the country to celebrate Spain’s victory.
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