By Desmond Nleya
MADRID- Spain’s World Cup-winning football team received a spectacular heroes’ welcome in Madrid on Monday, with an estimated 1.8 million fans lining the streets to celebrate La Roja’s second FIFA World Cup title.
Fresh from their dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey, the squad arrived in the Spanish capital to a royal reception before meeting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The celebrations continued with an open-top bus parade through Madrid’s historic streets, where players proudly displayed the World Cup trophy while wearing “Somos Campeones” (“We Are Champions”) shirts. The bus, bearing the slogan “Stars Shine Together,” was greeted by thousands of jubilant supporters waving Spanish flags and chanting the team’s name.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised the country’s unwavering support.
“It’s been an emotional and proud experience to represent a wonderful country with such passionate and devoted fans. We are filled with joy,” he said.
The parade concluded at Madrid’s iconic Cibeles Square, where around 120,000 supporters gathered for the official celebration featuring live performances by popular Spanish artists Aitana, Ana Mena, and Lola Índigo.
The capital had erupted in celebration immediately after Sunday’s victory, with fans filling Puerta del Sol and other major squares, singing, dancing, and waving national flags late into the night.
“I’ve only slept three or four hours, but for this team, it’s worth it,” said 19-year-old supporter Victor Alvarez.
Spain secured their second men’s World Cup title—adding to their 2010 triumph—thanks to Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner against Argentina. Combined with Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph in 2023, the country has become the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles.
World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, congratulated Spain following the historic victory.
The celebrations were, however, overshadowed by tragedy after authorities confirmed that a 13-year-old boy in Salamanca died when a fountain he had climbed with friends during the celebrations collapsed.
Despite the incident, Spain’s World Cup triumph sparked one of the country’s largest sporting celebrations in recent history, with millions of fans honouring a team that has once again reached the pinnacle of world football.
