Spain’s World Cup champions return house for parade in entrance of virtually 2 million

MADRID — Spain’s World Cup-winning soccer workforce returned house on Monday and an estimated crowd of virtually 2 million was readily available to greet the squad by way of the streets of Madrid.

The 26 gamers and their teaching employees met with the nation’s royals, after which with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, after arriving within the Spanish capital a day after beating Argentina 1-0 within the closing in New Jersey.

“Thank you to the coaches and players for the style of play, the effort and the victory,” Sánchez stated. “We have truly enjoyed watching you play.”

The squad then boarded an open-top bus for a raucous parade by way of central Madrid. “Stars shine together” was written on the bus, which additionally carried photographs of the footballers.

Spain’s Lamine Yamal reacts throughout celebrations together with his nationwide workforce teammates at Cibeles Sq. in Madrid on Monday, July 20, 2026, after Spain defeated Argentina within the World Cup closing in East Rutherford, N.J., close to New York.

Manu Fernandez/AP

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Manu Fernandez/AP

Gamers — carrying the World Cup trophy and carrying shirts with the phrases Somos Campeones (We Are Champions) — danced and interacted with the followers alongside the route.

“It’s been an emotional and proud experience to represent a wonderful country with such passionate and devoted fans,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente stated earlier than the parade began. “We are filled with joy.”

Gamers from Spain’s nationwide soccer workforce have a good time atop a bus because it travels by way of crowded streets in Madrid, Monday, July 20, 2026, after Spain defeated Argentina within the World Cup closing in East Rutherford, N.J., close to New York.

César Vallejo/Europa Press through AP

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César Vallejo/Europa Press through AP

The squad traveled down Madrid’s historic avenues from close to Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s official residence, to Cibeles Sq., the place authorities instructed native media that some 120,000 folks had been readily available for a ceremony.

Gamers had been launched one after the other earlier than coming into the stage arrange on the sq.. Every picked the tune to be performed after they got here in. Álex Baena, celebrating his twenty fifth birthday, entered with the World Cup trophy.

Coach De la Fuente was thrusted into the air by his gamers after being launched. The coach was amongst those that sang alongside to the tune being performed for them.

Gamers from Spain’s nationwide soccer workforce have a good time at Cibeles Sq. in Madrid on Monday, July 20, 2026, after Spain defeated Argentina within the World Cup closing in East Rutherford, N.J., close to New York.

Manu Fernandez/AP

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Manu Fernandez/AP

Striker Borja Iglesias featured as a D.J. at one level, together with his teammates dancing on the stage.

Singers Aitana, Ana Mena and Lola Índigo had been amongst these entertaining the gang and the gamers.

The ceremony ended with the entire Spain squad lifting the trophy once more, similar to on the awards ceremony on Sunday, however now in entrance of the native crowd.

Teams of followers had begun securing their spots close to Cibeles late Monday morning forward of the workforce’s arrival, bringing umbrellas to guard in opposition to the solar and temperatures of as much as 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit).