Spain to parade World Cup trophy through Madrid

Thousands of fans flooded the streets of Madrid and Barcelona overnight after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, with the newly crowned champions set to return home Monday to a heroes' welcome expected to draw one million people.

A Night of Jubilation

Ferran Torres came off the bench to score the decisive goal in the 106th minute of extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, sealing Spain's second men's World Cup title — 16 years after their first in 2010. Argentina played the final stretch with 10 men after Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a late tackle on Pau Cubarsí deep in stoppage time.espn+3

Fans watching on giant screens at Madrid's Plaza de Colón erupted as the final whistle blew, according to the BBC, with red flares and fireworks lighting up the night sky. In Barcelona, celebrations carried into the early hours of Monday morning. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez congratulated the squad on social media, writing "Thanks, team," after the victory.tribuneindia+2

Heroes' Welcome Planned for Monday

Spain's World Cup-winning squad was due to land at Madrid's airport at 12:50 p.m. local time on Monday before beginning a parade through central Madrid at around 4:30 p.m., according to the Straits Times. The route will take the team from near the Moncloa Palace — the prime minister's official residence — along Calle Princesa and through to Cibeles Square. Francisco Martín, the central government's representative in Madrid, told Spanish public television that around one million people were expected to line the route, with additional security and transport measures in place.as+1

A Complete Triumph

The victory caps a dominant stretch for Spanish football. Having won the European Championship in 2024, Spain now hold both major international titles simultaneously. U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the winners' medals on the pitch in New Jersey. For Argentina and Lionel Messi, widely expected to have played his final World Cup match, the defeat marked a painful end to their title defense.youtube+2