Spain has begun celebrating its second World Cup title, with the winning squad due to parade through central Madrid on Monday before an expected crowd of one million.
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, near New York, with substitute Ferran Torres striking the only goal in the 106th minute. It was the country’s second world title and its first since 2010.
Argentina had been reduced to 10 men after the sending-off of Enzo Fernández, denying the reigning champions a second successive world title. Midfielder Rodri was named the tournament’s best player.
The squad, coached by Luis de la Fuente, is due to land at Madrid airport at 12.50pm before being received by King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The players are then due to board an open-top bus for a parade beginning at about 4.30pm.
They are to travel from near the Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s official residence, to Cibeles Square, the traditional gathering point for celebrations by the national team and its supporters. A ceremony is due to be held at the square.
Around one million people are expected along the route, with extra security and transport measures planned, according to the central government’s delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín. He said 2,050 police officers and 400 Civil Guard officers would be deployed.
The full timetable has not been confirmed, with Sánchez due to make a brief visit to Algeria before returning in the afternoon. The royal household has also yet to confirm whether the king will attend.
Celebrations continued overnight across the country, from Madrid to smaller towns and villages, after fans poured out of bars and fan zones when the final whistle blew. Car horns sounded and flares were set off as supporters wrapped in red-and-yellow flags packed squares from Barcelona to Seville.
In Madrid, thousands gathered in bars and three fan zones during Sunday’s final, spilling into the streets at the final whistle. Tens of thousands braved high summer temperatures to secure places before giant screens in the capital’s outdoor zones.
The triumph came two years after Spain won the 2024 European Championship, while the women’s side already held the world title it claimed in 2023.
Spain’s previous World Cup homecoming, in 2010, drew hundreds of thousands to Madrid after their victory in South Africa.
