The 26 players and their coaching staff met with the country\u2019s royals and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday after arriving in the Spanish capital a day after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final in New Jersey, United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you to the coaches and players for the style of play, the effort, and the victory,\u201d Sanchez said. \u201cWe have truly enjoyed watching you play.\u201d<\/p>\n
The squad then boarded an open-top bus for a raucous parade through central Madrid. \u201cStars shine together\u201d was written on the bus, which also carried photos of the footballers.<\/p>\n
![\"Spain](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP__20260720__C2PC9B8__v1__HighRes__FblWc2026EspSpain-1784581313.jpg\")
Spain fans pack Cibeles Square in Madrid as they await the team\u2019s arrival [Pierre-Philippe Marcou\/AFP]<\/p>\n
The players carried the World Cup trophy and wore shirts with \u201cSomos Campeones\u201d (\u201cWe Are Champions\u201d). They danced and interacted with the fans along the route.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been an emotional and proud experience to represent a wonderful country with such passionate and devoted fans,\u201d Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said before the parade started. \u201cWe are filled with joy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The squad travelled down Madrid\u2019s historic avenues from near Moncloa Palace, the prime minister\u2019s official residence, to Cibeles Square, where authorities told local media that some 120,000 people were on hand for a ceremony.<\/p>\n
![\"Spain's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP__20260720__C2MX7KA__v1__HighRes__SpainFblWc2026Celebrations-1784581304.jpg\")
Spain\u2019s team pose with their trophy on the tarmac upon their arrival from the US [Oscar Del Pozo\/AFP]<\/p>\n
Groups of fans had begun securing their spots near Cibeles late on Monday morning ahead of the team\u2019s arrival, bringing umbrellas to protect against the sun and temperatures of up to 35 Celsius (95 F).<\/p>\n
The square is where previous Spain teams and their supporters have typically gathered to celebrate. It is also the traditional celebration spot for Real Madrid when it wins titles.<\/p>\n
Singers Aitana, Ana Mena, and Lola \u00cdndigo were set to entertain the crowd at the ceremony at Cibeles.<\/p>\n
![\"Spain's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP__20260720__C2PE7Y7__v1__HighRes__FblWc2026EspSpain-1784581301.jpg\")
Lamine Yamal celebrates on a stage at Cibeles Square [Oscar Del Pozo\/AFP]<\/p>\n
Officials estimated that about 1.8 million people welcomed the team in Madrid.<\/p>\n
Spain walked off with the trophy on Sunday after Ferran Torres scored the winner in extra time to secure their second World Cup title \u2013 and the first since 2010 in South Africa.<\/p>\n
The team was congratulated by the leaders of the three countries that cohosted the tournament: US President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.<\/p>\n
After the final whistle, Madrid erupted into celebrations, with thousands of supporters pouring into the streets from bars and restaurants, many draped in Spanish flags or wearing the team\u2019s colours.<\/p>\n
Crowds packed the capital\u2019s Puerta del Sol and other major squares, singing, dancing, and setting off flares while car horns blared.<\/p>\n
Many celebrated Sunday\u2019s victory long into the early hours of Monday morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very happy. I\u2019ve slept three or four hours, but for the team, I\u2019ll do whatever it takes,\u201d 19-year-old Victor Alvarez said.<\/p>\n
The men\u2019s victory, combined with the Women\u2019s World Cup won by Spain in 2023, makes the European nation the first to hold both titles simultaneously.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, it was very exciting. We preferred not to go to any bar or anything, to experience it at home, focused and very happy, very joyful,\u201d 59-year-old civil servant Gema Rodero said.<\/p>\n