Spain's World Cup champions receive royal welcome in Madrid

Spain's men's national football team, freshly crowned world champions, received a royal welcome in Madrid on Monday, July 20, 2026, before embarking on a massive victory parade through the capital. The team returned home after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the FIFA World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the previous day.

King Felipe VI, joined by Queen Letizia and their daughters Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia, hosted the delegation at the Zarzuela Palace. The king praised the squad's resilience, technical skill, and unity, calling their journey an "epic triumph" and an "odyssey." He told the players they had earned the right to savor every moment of the celebrations. The royal family had attended the final in New Jersey, witnessing Spain clinch its second men's World Cup title, following its first victory in 2010.

After the palace reception, the team, led by captain Rodri and coach Luis de la Fuente, visited Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the Moncloa palace. Sánchez thanked the players and staff for their effort and victory. Rodri addressed the significance of the win, noting that his generation grew up watching the 2010 champions and that winning for...