Madrid prepares mass welcome for Spain after World Cup triumph
AFP reported that about one million fans are expected in Madrid as Spain’s players return with the country’s second men’s World Cup.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Spain’s men’s World Cup winners are due back in Madrid on Monday for a public celebration expected to draw about one million people, AFP reported. The homecoming follows Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in New Jersey, a result that gave the country its second men’s World Cup title and first since 2010.
Ferran Torres scored the deciding goal after Nico Williams set him up, according to AFP. Argentina had been reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off, and AFP reported that Lionel Messi and his teammates were unable to turn pressure into clear chances against Spain’s organised side.
Coach Luis de la Fuente’s squad was scheduled to land in Madrid at 12:50 p.m. local time, AFP reported. Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida told RNE radio that the players would be received by King Felipe VI at Zarzuela Palace after arriving with the trophy.
Officials had not confirmed whether Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez would meet the team at La Moncloa, AFP reported, because Sanchez had to make a short visit to Algeria. Francisco Martin, the central government’s representative in Madrid, told Spanish public television that the players would later travel by open-top bus from Moncloa to Cibeles Square.
Cibeles is the traditional celebration site for Spain’s national team and its supporters, AFP reported. Martin said authorities expected about one million people along the route and would add security and transport measures for the crowd.
Martin said 2,050 police officers and 400 Civil Guard personnel would be deployed, according to AFP. The preparations followed a night of celebrations in the capital, where AFP reported that Madrid’s Castellana avenue was littered with rubbish, beer cans and broken glass on Monday morning as cleaning crews worked along the route.
Martinez-Almeida told RNE that he had slept little after the tense match and the celebrations, AFP reported. AFP also reported that some fans were still on benches or pavements in central Madrid in the morning, while others were heading home as preparations began for the evening event.
Spanish daily Marca described Spain’s final performance as one of “total control” against Argentina, according to AFP. Marca also celebrated the title as a “second star” for the national shirt after what it called another display of collective play.
AFP reported that Spain’s win came 16 years after Andres Iniesta’s extra-time goal against the Netherlands delivered the country’s first men’s World Cup in South Africa. Spain’s women won the World Cup in 2023, meaning Spain now holds both the men’s and women’s titles, according to AFP.
The celebrations were shadowed by a death in Ciudad Rodrigo, in western Spain, AFP reported. A 13-year-old boy was killed around midnight after a fountain collapsed under supporters who had climbed onto it during celebrations.
Argentina is also preparing to receive its team, AFP reported. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected in Buenos Aires for the squad’s return at 5 p.m. local time, after Argentina’s attempt to win a fourth World Cup ended in the final.
AFP reported that Spain will defend the title in 2030 on home soil as one of the tournament hosts, along with Portugal and Morocco. The 2026 tournament ended after more than five weeks of play under an expanded 48-team format, with Spain beating the 2022 champions in the 104th and final match.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.