MADRID — Spain’s World Cup-winning football team celebrated its triumph with an open-top bus parade through Madrid on Monday, as large crowds gathered in the capital to welcome the squad after its victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The players travelled through central Madrid aboard an open-top bus carrying the World Cup trophy, with supporters lining the route toward Plaza de Cibeles, a traditional location for major Spanish football celebrations. Local reports estimated that nearly two million fans attended the festivities across the city.
Spain secured its second men’s World Cup title after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final held in New Jersey, according to FIFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The team returned to Madrid before taking part in official receptions and the public celebration.
Before the parade, the squad met King Felipe VI and members of the Spanish royal family at Zarzuela Palace before attending a government reception with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Sánchez congratulated the players and coaching staff for their performance, saying the team’s victory had brought national recognition.
The parade route moved through parts of the Spanish capital as fans wearing national team shirts and carrying Spanish flags gathered to celebrate. Supporters welcomed the players as they waved from the bus, which later arrived at Plaza de Cibeles for the official celebration event.
Spain’s captain Rodri led the celebrations while carrying the World Cup trophy. The victory marked the country’s second men’s World Cup championship, following its first title in 2010.
The RFEF said the celebrations were part of a series of official events following the team’s return from North America, where the tournament concluded with Spain’s final victory.
Authorities managed crowd control measures as supporters gathered along the parade route, with the event concluding at the planned celebration area in central Madrid.
