Spain’s World Cup champions return home for royal welcome and parade through Madrid - AP News

What the report says

The Associated Press reports that Spain’s men’s national soccer team returned to Madrid on Monday after winning the World Cup, drawing an estimated crowd of nearly 2 million people for celebrations in the capital. The 26-player squad and coaching staff arrived one day after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final, played in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York.

The team was received at Zarzuela Palace by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, along with Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, according to AP photo captions and article text. The players and coaches also met Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who thanked them for their play, work and victory. Head coach Luis de la Fuente was shown as a focus of fan attention during the Madrid celebrations.

After the official receptions, the squad traveled through central Madrid on an open-top bus decorated with player images and the message “Stars shine together.” AP reported that players wore “Somos Campeones” shirts, carried the trophy, danced and engaged with supporters along the route, including at Cibeles Square, a traditional gathering place for major soccer celebrations in the city.

The homecoming matters as a national celebration of Spain’s World Cup title and as a public moment linking the team’s sporting success with state recognition from both the monarchy and government. Based on AP’s account, the event combined formal honors with mass street celebrations, underscoring the scale of public enthusiasm after Spain’s victory over Argentina.