One Million Fans Celebrate Spain's World Champions in Madrid – King Felipe Receives the Team at the Palacio Real

Reception at the Palacio Real

Following the protocol reception, the team paid a courtesy visit to Pedro Sánchez at his official residence. Afterwards, the squad embarked on a triumphant tour through the Spanish capital aboard an open-top double-decker bus bearing the inscription "Kings of the World."

The entire center of Madrid had already turned into a sea of red and yellow since the afternoon. At Cibeles Square, one of the city's most famous landmarks, fans were treated to an extensive program of music and a major show before the bus was due to arrive at around 9:00 p.m. Authorities had spoken in advance of up to one million people lining the streets.

One Million Fans at Cibeles Square

Immediately after the 1-0 victory following extra time against Argentina, the Spanish had already kicked off their big title party. The Spanish sports newspaper "Marca" wrote: "España no solo ha ganado una final, ha salvado al fútbol." The British "Telegraph" phrased it: "Football 1, criminals 0."

Sportingly, Ferran Torres had scored the decisive goal in extra time. Spain's playmaker Rodri, who was named the tournament's best player, had warned before the final against reducing Argentina to Lionel Messi: "Ha liderado a su selección, pero Argentina es mucho más que solo Messi."

Yamal Sets Records

For young star Lamine Yamal, the World Cup triumph with Spain is a historic achievement. At 19 years and six days old, he won the title against Argentina, making him the youngest Spanish world champion in history and the fourth-youngest overall. Only Brazil's Pelé (1958) and Ronaldo (1994), as well as Italy's Giuseppe Bergomi (1982), were even younger at the time of their World Cup triumphs.

Yamal is also the first footballer to have won both the European Championship and the World Cup titles at the age of 19 — following Euro 2024 and now the 2026 World Cup. The award for the tournament's best young player went to his 19-year-old teammate Pau Cubarsí from FC Barcelona.

As in 2008 and 2010, the Spanish men's team has once again won the trophy at the European Championship and World Cup back-to-back. La Roja had won the World Cup title in 2023 in Sydney against England and has now successfully defended it against titleholders Argentina.

Unsporting Scenes After the Final

The final itself had made negative headlines for sporting reasons. Immediately after the final whistle, there were unsightly scenes: Argentina's Leandro Paredes allowed himself to be carried away into several fouls following the 0-1 defeat. In addition, Nicolás Otamendi and Rodri had a verbal exchange on the pitch: "Tú y (Aymeric) Laporte, los dos", Otamendi snarled: "Eso no se hace, fuiste a llorarle a los árbitros, amigo mío."

Pelé was scheduled to present the World Cup trophy to the champions after the final between titleholders Argentina and Spain. At the lonely summit of players with three World Cup titles stands and remains Pelé, who won the title in 1958, 1962, and 1970. Only 21 players have previously won two or more World Cup titles — this list could grow significantly through the Argentine contingent: 17 squad members were already in the 2022 final against France.

Messi and the Farewell of an Era

Lionel Messi himself bid farewell with an emotional Instagram post before the final. The Argentine newspaper "Clarín" commented: "Su mensaje, que sale del corazón y está bien meditado, tiene un halo de despedida que conmueve." At 39 years old, Messi is, as of Sunday, the oldest outfield player in a World Cup final.

During a celebration in Spain, a tragic incident had previously occurred. A 13-year-old died after being struck by the central stone pillar of a fountain in the western Spanish town of Ciudad Rodrigo, as reported by the regional newspaper "Diario de Salamanca," citing the municipal administration.

The winner of the final can look forward to a record prize money of 50 million US dollars (43.71 million euros). The loser will receive 33 million US dollars from world governing body FIFA. Third place finisher England receives 29 million US dollars, while fourth-placed France gets 27 million dollars. In total, 871 million US dollars will be distributed directly to the 48 participating associations.

The Argentines are then expected to arrive in Buenos Aires on Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. local time (11:00 p.m. CEST) after an eleven-hour flight. There, the Albiceleste will be received by their fans despite the missed title, even though another world championship did not materialize.

Political and Economic Background

Before the final, Gianni Infantino had praised the American president Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York and declared: "Es el evento humano, social y cultural más grandioso que la humanidad haya vivido y visto jamás." Trump himself gushed: "This was the most successful sporting event, perhaps even in the history of the world."

The 2026 World Cup in North America was the first tournament with 48 teams instead of 32. Infantino has already floated a further expansion to 64 teams for the future — South Americans in particular could receive more games than planned, 100 years after the first World Cup in Uruguay, if the field is expanded.

Following the exuberant celebrations in Madrid, the Spanish team will begin preparations for upcoming tasks. By winning Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup, the Spanish team has achieved something historic — a feat that will go down in the annals of world football.

The Spanish players will celebrate the historic triumph in the evening in the company of family and friends. «Creo que nos hemos ganado una buena fiesta», one player had said immediately after the final whistle. King Felipe VI summed up the mood in the country: "Estáis cansados — pero qué cansancio tan bonito."