MADRID — Fresh off a historic World Cup win that cemented Spain’s status as the first nation to hold both men’s and women’s senior World Cup trophies simultaneously, the country’s champion men’s squad is scheduled to arrive back on Spanish soil Monday afternoon. The 11-time title-winning side will first attend official welcomes at the Royal Palace of Spain and by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, before departing for an open-top bus parade through downtown Madrid scheduled for the evening.
Massive crowds of elated fans are projected to line the parade route, which runs from the vicinity of Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s official residence, to Cibeles Square, a landmark that has long served as the traditional gathering spot for Spanish national teams and their supporters to mark major tournament victories. A formal celebratory ceremony featuring the full squad will be held at the square following the parade.
Spain claimed the World Cup crown with a 1-0 victory over defending champion Argentina in the final held Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This historic win marks only the second men’s World Cup title for Spain, following the team’s breakthrough victory at the 2010 tournament hosted in South Africa. Within moments of the final whistle blowing, celebrations erupted across the Spanish capital, as thousands of fans flooded out of bars, restaurants and homes onto Madrid’s streets. Many supporters wrapped themselves in Spanish national flags or wore the team’s iconic red and navy kits, packing major public spaces including Puerta del Sol to sing, dance, set off celebratory flares and honk car horns in a raucous display of national pride. Celebrations continued well into the early hours of Monday for many fans across the country.
For a generation of young Spanish soccer supporters, this victory marks the first time they have ever seen the men’s national team lift the sport’s biggest prize, adding extra weight to the historic moment. Speaking early Monday, 19-year-old fan Victor Álvarez captured the widespread excitement, saying, “I’m very happy. I’ve slept three or four hours, but for the team, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Even before the team’s official arrival, hundreds of dedicated fans had already gathered in the arrivals hall of Madrid’s Barajas Airport, decked out in team gear and waving flags to greet the champions. By late Monday morning, groups of supporters had already begun staking out prime viewing spots along the parade route near Cibeles Square, coming prepared with sun protection to endure forecasted high temperatures that were expected to hit 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) through the afternoon.
This historic win comes on the heels of Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup victory, making Spain the first country in soccer history to hold both the men’s and women’s world titles at the same time — a milestone that has amplified the country’s nationwide celebration.
However, the collective joy has been tempered by a tragic incident connected to the celebrations. Local authorities confirmed that a 13-year-old boy died in Salamanca, a city located northwest of Madrid, after a fountain he and his friends had climbed onto to watch celebrations collapsed. The tragedy has cast a shadow over what is otherwise a landmark moment for Spanish soccer.