The Spanish national team has already returned to our country. The players led by Luis de la Fuente landed at Barajas minutes before half past twelve noon. Still on the plane’s stairs, they showed for the first time on Spanish soil the trophy that accredits them as world champions.
A long day of celebration and recognition begins for them. In the afternoon, the 2026 World Cup winners will be received by the King and Queen at the Zarzuela Palace and by the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, at Moncloa, before leading a triumphant parade through the center of Madrid among hundreds of thousands of fans. Their route will end at Cibeles, where a stage has been set up to host the massive party for the second World Cup won by the Spanish men’s national team.
The Royal Palace is dyed red to celebrate Spain’s World Cup victory
Patrimonio Nacional debuts tonight, from sunset until 2:00 a.m., the new monumental lighting of the Royal Palace of Madrid, and will dye the four facades of the building red to mark the victory in the 2026 World Cup of the Spanish men’s national football team.
The institution has invested 1,501,932 euros from European funds in the new lighting, which will highlight the most characteristic details of the Palace. The lighting renovation consisted of installing RGBW projectors on the four facades, enabling the creation of colored light scenes like tonight’s, as well as adjusting the most suitable white light tone for the different materials of the Palace’s facades.
Merz congratulates Spain and highlights that it has recovered the title for Europe
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated Spain on winning the world title and highlighted that Luis de la Fuente’s team has recovered it for Europe. “Congratulations team,” says Merz’s message in Spanish on Instagram, accompanied by a photo of the team celebrating the title. “You have recovered the title for Europe, a great success,” added the chancellor.
Capdevila asked Cucurella to bury a coin on the pitch as he did in 2010
Former player Joan Capdevila, world champion with Spain in South Africa 2010, revealed this Monday that he asked Marc Cucurella to bury a coin on the pitch before starting the final against Argentina, as he did in Johannesburg (South Africa) when the Spanish team won its first World Cup in 2010 against the Netherlands. “Now I’ll tell you a secret. In 2010 I buried a coin on the pitch before the match started. I’ve told it millions of times. I asked Cucurella to do the same yesterday… Marc, I love you very much. You are world champion!” narrated Capdevila on social media.
Capdevila, who was also champion with Spain of the 2008 European Championship against Germany, accompanied his message with a video showing the former Chelsea player and new Real Madrid footballer greeting his teammates shortly before the final started and then walking part of the pitch at the New York/New Jersey stadium to go behind the sideline and bury an object.
More details, in this information.
The World Cup trophy on Spanish soil
The world champions took a few minutes to step onto Spanish soil. As usual, the stairs were first placed and secured. When the door finally opened, coach Luis de la Fuente, captain Rodrigo Hernández, and Federation president Rafael Louzán posed with the trophy.
Behind them, the rest of the delegation descended from the plane, currently taking a commemorative photo in front of the aircraft.
Messi and nine other players will not return with the squad to Argentina
Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, and nine other players will not return this Monday with the rest of the squad to the South American country after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, according to sources from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) reported to EFE. Besides Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, his teammate at Inter Miami in MLS, will also not return.
Those not traveling with the delegation, which is already flying to Buenos Aires, are Julián Alvarez, Nahuel Molina, and Juan Musso, three of the Albiceleste players who play for Atlético Madrid. The other five are Enzo Fernández from Chelsea; Lautaro Martínez from Inter Milan; Nicolás Paz from Como in Italy; Gerónimo Rulli from Olympique de Marseille; and Cristian Romero from Tottenham.
The AFA had announced in a statement this Sunday after the runner-up finish that some players would depart directly from the United States to various destinations to rejoin their clubs or start their rest period. The AFA did not specify where the squad would go after landing, so it is currently unknown if they plan to hold any celebration with the fans.
Spanish national team plane lands at Barajas
The plane bringing the Spanish national football team, world champions, has landed at Barajas, reports Eduardo Castelao citing federation sources. Specifically, the aircraft landed this Monday at 14:25 at terminal 4 of Madrid Barajas-Adolfo Suárez airport.
The national delegation, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, has arrived in Madrid with the precious golden trophy accrediting them as world champions.
Los Palacios will officially receive Fabián and Gavi at City Hall this Tuesday
The City Hall of Los Palacios y Villafranca (Seville) will receive this Tuesday, July 21, the footballers Fabián Ruiz Peña and Pablo Páez Gavira “Gavi”, after being crowned world champions with the Spanish national team in the final played this Sunday in New York against Argentina. On its official social media, the City Hall has informed that the reception will take place at 8:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, and during the event, they will sign the City Hall’s Honor Book and greet the citizens gathered from the central balcony.
Likewise, the Tomato Producers Association of Los Palacios, integrated along with the City Hall by the cooperatives Las Nieves and Parque Norte and the Agricultural Transformation Society Frupal, will give them their weight in kilos of the traditional “bombón colorao”.
Ferran Torres shakes the Spanish ground
Seismometers distributed throughout Spain recorded on Sunday ground vibrations caused by the celebration of Ferran Torres’ goal in the World Cup final, which gave the Spanish team its second star, according to a statement from CSIC this Monday.
Records from the National Geographic Institute (IGN) and the Geological and Cartographic Institute of Catalonia (ICGC), processed by the Geosciences Barcelona (GEO3BCN-CSIC) researcher Jordi Díaz, show signals in places like Algeciras, Alcoy, Cádiz, Granada, Elda, Huelva, Granollers, Barcelona, and Lleida. The data reveal three distinct movement peaks during the broadcast, corresponding to Torres’ goal, a later goal that VAR eventually annulled, and the most intense shake of the night after the final whistle.
More details, in this information.
EH Bildu rejects attacks on national team fans in the Basque Country and Navarra
EH Bildu has rejected this Monday “the attacks this weekend on several fans of the Spanish national football team” in various parts of the Basque Country and Navarra, while calling “to defend the right of the Euskal Herria national team to participate in international competitions through peaceful and democratic means.”
“EH Bildu wants to reaffirm the right of this country, Euskal Herria, to be recognized as a nation and, therefore, to participate in international sports competitions on equal terms with the rest of the nations of the world,” the pro-sovereignty group said in a statement reported by Efe.
An EMT bus sports a second star
Madrid paid tribute this Monday to the conquest of the second World Cup by the Spanish national team with the addition of a second star to the commemorative bus of the Municipal Transport Company (EMT).
The initiative is part of the actions organized to celebrate the second World Cup won by the Spanish national team.
Besides the commemorative bus, EMT vehicles running on the city’s main lines display the Spanish flag and project on their interior screens an official video from the Royal Spanish Football Federation dedicated to the new world champions, according to a press release reported by Efe.
Arde Bogotá will perform at Cibeles
Cibeles Square will be a party to honor the world champions. From 6:00 p.m., the stage installed next to the Communications Palace will host a full program of music, entertainment, and shows to liven up the wait until the arrival of the players and technical staff, expected around 9:00 p.m., with the participation of DJs, prominent artists, and many surprises.
Arde Bogotá is the first major group confirmed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. But it is expected that other relevant artists in the current music scene will continue to join this luxury lineup.
Sánchez gifts the president of Algeria a Spanish national football team jersey
The head of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, gave the president of Algeria, Abdelmayid Tebún, a Spanish national football team jersey this Monday after their victory in the World Cup final played this Sunday in New York.
Sánchez traveled directly from New York, where he attended the final, to Algiers to fulfill the official visit he had planned beforehand and during which he met with Tebún.
Upon arrival at the El Mouradia Palace, the Algerian president greeted the Spanish executive head with a hug, and it was seen how they exchanged words in which, according to Spanish government sources, he conveyed his congratulations for the victory.
During the meeting, Sánchez gave him a red team jersey with his name printed and the number 26 on the back. Reports Efe.
Two arrested for throwing cobblestones at Valencia Police during celebrations
Two people were arrested early Monday morning in Valencia for assaulting authority by throwing cobblestones at the Local Police, coinciding with the celebrations for the World Cup won by Spain, which were generally “very calm” on the city’s streets, sources from the City Hall told EFE.
The early hours of Monday were calm in Valencia’s streets with many people celebrating the World Cup title after winning the final against Argentina, a match followed by 30,000 people in the City Hall square, according to the same sources.
Spain replaces Argentina at the top of the FIFA ranking
Spain replaced Argentina at the top of the FIFA ranking, updated this Monday after their victory over the Albiceleste last night in the World Cup (1-0), and simultaneously leads the women’s table, also as reigning world champion with the 2023 title over England.
The trajectory of Luis de la Fuente’s team in the World Cup, crowned with a goal by Ferrán Torres in the final’s extra time, places them at the top of the ranking with 1995.88 points, now ahead of Argentina, which defended the title won in Qatar in 2022 and drops to second with 1970.30 points.
France, fourth in the World Cup after being eliminated by Spain in the semifinals (0-2), retains third position (1948.97), and England, third in the World Cup, remains fourth with 1922.83 points.
Brazil, eliminated by Norway in the round of 16 (1-2), climbs one spot to fifth (1804.92), followed by Morocco (1803.99), which also rises one place and said goodbye to the World Cup in the quarterfinals after losing to France (2-0), having been a semifinalist four years ago in Qatar.
Molina’s punch, Paredes’ madness, and Argentines turning their backs while Spain received the Cup
When Spain went up to receive the World Cup, the Argentines, far from honoring a team that had defeated them masterfully during 120 minutes of intense struggle on the MetLife Stadium pitch, decided to turn their backs.
Read the report with the ugliest details of the final, by Luis Núñez-Villaveirán
The arrival of the national team is delayed to 14:40
The arrival of the Spanish champions at Barajas is expected around 14:40. Afterwards, the players will rest for a while before starting the celebrations in the streets of Madrid.
Zarzuela, Moncloa, and Cibeles: Click here to see the national team’s route
Ciudad Rodrigo City Hall denies prior damage to the fountain where a child died
The City Hall of Ciudad Rodrigo (Salamanca) has denied being aware of any prior damage to the fountain at Glorieta del Árbol Gordo, which collapsed early this morning during celebrations of Spain’s World Cup victory, resulting in the death of a 13-year-old boy and another minor seriously injured.
Through a voice note sent this Monday, the city’s deputy mayor, Ramón Sastre, acknowledged that the city is “shocked” by the serious incident and expressed support to the deceased’s family.
Sastre explained that the fountain at Glorieta del Árbol Gordo has hosted celebrations of this kind—already did so when the national team reached the semifinals—for “many years” and no damage had been recorded.
“We have no record of any deterioration of the fountain. Periodic inspections, cleaning checks, and fountain inspections are carried out, and we have no document or information indicating the fountain was damaged,” he assured.
Man arrested for breaking another man’s teeth in Burgos’ Plaza Mayor during World Cup final
Burgos Local Police officers have arrested a man as the alleged perpetrator of a serious injury crime after assaulting and breaking three teeth of another man during the World Cup final celebration in Plaza Mayor.
During the security operation established for the celebrations, officers also detected several glass bottle and ice throws, incidents that caused several minor injuries.
Among those affected, a minor was hit by a bottle and was taken to Burgos University Hospital, where he remained under observation, according to a statement from Burgos City Hall reported by Europa Press.
This is how the press covers Spain’s World Cup victory
“Superstars,” “The world is ours,” “Nobody cries for you Argentina”… are some of the headlines of Spain’s triumph in the United States World Cup after defeating Argentina in the final.
See the full album
Ayuso: “When the team walks united it is unbeatable, we are invincible”
The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, congratulated the Spanish National Football Team this Monday for winning the World Cup. She did so during a visit to Telefónica Dron Center, where she also highlighted the national coach, Luis de la Fuente. “He reminds us that when the team walks united it is unbeatable, we are invincible,” she emphasized.
She highlighted how this is “the best generation Spanish football has had” alongside the one that lifted Spain’s first World Cup in South Africa 2010.
Read more Pedro Sánchez, Donald Trump and the box diplomacy
Ayuso praised the work of a coach who has known “how to see the talent of players beyond fame, egos, has known how to find the best in each one to make that great team that has been an example for all.”
The gifts exchanged by Trump and Felipe VI
During the meeting between the King and Queen and Donald Trump in the MetLife Stadium box, the Republican gave as a protocol gift a coin of the 45/47th president of the United States. For his part, the Spanish monarch gave Trump another coin from the Royal Mint of King Felipe VI. Reports Marina Pina.
Correos issues commemorative stamp for Spain’s triumph
Correos has joined the celebration of the Spanish national football team’s victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by issuing a special commemorative stamp dedicated to the champion team.
The initiative pays tribute to the players, technical staff, and fans who have accompanied Spain in an achievement that is now part of world sports history, Correos said in a statement.
“The commemorative stamp symbolizes the pride of a country that celebrates a world title again and establishes a bridge between two historic generations: the one that conquered the world in 2010 and the one that has done so again in 2026. Two milestones separated by more than a decade but united by the same values of talent, effort, commitment, and team spirit,” it explains, according to Efe.
Bustinduy throws a jab at Trump: “There are metaphors that speak for themselves”
The Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy, celebrated the Spanish national team’s victory this Monday and threw a jab at the U.S. president, Donald Trump: “There are metaphors that speak for themselves.”
In this line, Bustinduy valued that the Spanish team has been “sublime” and gave an “exemplary” and “historic” image despite controversies during the match and also in the celebration and lifting of the cup, from which the U.S. president was slow to withdraw, generating discomfort and criticism.
“What a pleasure, what pride, and what happiness that they have represented us this way and that Spain’s image in the world is this,” he said before inaugurating one of the summer courses at Complutense University in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, according to Europa Press.
Likewise, Bustinduy affirmed that “it is clear that (the Spanish players) are good people.” “They resemble our country a lot,” the minister said to value that they “always go with values first.”
Palestinian president congratulates the “friendly Spanish people”
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas congratulated the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, and King Felipe VI this Monday for Spain’s victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a statement reported by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.
“On the occasion of the historic victory of the Spanish national team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we are pleased to extend our sincerest congratulations to His Majesty the King, the President of the Spanish Football Federation, the members of the technical and administrative staff, the national team players, and the friendly Spanish people,” reads Abbas’s statement, according to Efe.
“Our sincerest congratulations and fraternal blessings for this great global sporting achievement,” it concludes. Abbas emphasized La Roja’s perseverance and leadership and expressed his wish that Spain continues to achieve success and accomplishments “in all fields.” “His Excellency also sent a congratulatory telegram to the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, congratulating him on the same occasion,” Wafa reported.
Traffic cuts in Madrid for the Cibeles party
Cibeles will host from 6:00 p.m. the celebration of Spain’s second World Cup with musical performances and the arrival of the national team, expected between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. once the official reception at the Zarzuela Palace and the route through Madrid’s streets conclude, and will have a security deployment of 250 Municipal Police officers.
The mayor, José Luis Martínez Almeida, asked Madrilenians this Monday to use public transport due to significant traffic disruptions expected around Cibeles, Alcalá, and Alfonso XII, where restrictions are already in place due to stage setups and the procession route.
“The best way to move around Madrid today again is public transport, without a doubt,” Almeida said in statements to the media during a visit to the Municipal Transport Company (EMT) garages, where the bus vinyl with a second star in tribute to the new world title was presented.
The mayor called on Madrilenians to fill the streets as the national team passes and expressed confidence that the celebration will proceed “with the same civility and commitment” as experienced during the final and subsequent festivities.
Catholic, bullfighting fan, and Spanish (without complexes): the dizzying story of Luis de la Fuente, the architect
After eliminating Austria in Los Angeles in the round of 16, a journalist wrote that with that victory, Spain, his Spain, the Spain of Luis de la Fuente (Haro, La Rioja, 65 years old) had accumulated 34 consecutive official matches without losing. Shortly after, the journalist received a WhatsApp: “It’s 35.” The coach says he reads nothing, but he reads something. Or he is told. In fact, that is one of the main changes between the guy who took the job quietly on December 12, 2022, and the one who yesterday, July 19, 2026, led Spain at MetLife Stadium.
Read the profile of the Spanish coach, by Eduardo J. Castelao
The Spanish national team will land at 13:50
The Spanish national team flight took off from Newark airport a little later than expected, and the Spanish team will not arrive at Barajas until 13:50, one hour later than initially announced.
A young man died in Sonseca (Toledo) while watching the final in a square
A young man about 20 years old died this Sunday while watching the World Cup match in a square in the town of Sonseca, Toledo, which has declared three days of official mourning.
The Castilla-La Mancha emergency service 112 informed EFE that around 23:16 this Sunday, a call was received reporting that a boy about 20 years old had started having convulsions in the Virgen de Sonseca square.
Local Police and Civil Guard officers were at the scene, and an ICU and emergency doctor also arrived, who tried to resuscitate the young man, but he died on site. The autopsy will determine the cause of death.
Pedro Sánchez, Donald Trump, and box diplomacy
After the final, already back in Washington, Donald Trump said he had congratulated Spain “for having a great team,” denying having “any tension with anyone” and stating that the Spanish national football team “seemed to dominate” in the final.
Read the full news by Pablo R. Suanzes
The memes that will go down in history of the 2026 World Cup Final
The whole planet was watching the World Cup final that Spain won against Argentina in extra time. The fact that both countries speak Spanish has unleashed a huge number of memes before and during the match. Humor and football for everyone in a thrilling encounter.
See the best memes
Hooded men tried to sabotage the PP screen in Bilbao to watch the World Cup
Hooded men tried to sabotage the broadcast of the World Cup final on the screen the PP installed in Bilbao, and the Basque PP secretary general, Esther Martínez, urged them to desist, according to Efe.
The PP had placed a large screen in Doña Casilda park in downtown Bilbao, and dozens of hooded people tried to pull out the wiring and damage the speakers to prevent the broadcast.
The Basque PP secretary general, Esther Martínez, wearing a section T-shirt, confronted the hooded men and urged them to stop their behavior. This Monday she will appear before the media alongside the Basque PP president, Javier de Andrés.
Additionally, unknown persons have painted graffiti on the portal of the PP spokesperson in the Bizkaia General Assemblies, Raquel González, reading “Gora Bildu-PNV. Raquel the screens to your home.” González told EFE that the graffiti “saddens” her more than it “angers” her.
“There is a part of society that exudes hatred and bitterness, obsessed and unable to live their own life freely, and that is why they resort to intimidation, because they have neither arguments nor sense,” she expressed.
Israel’s president congratulates Spain and hopes to see their team in 2030
Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, congratulated Spain this Monday for being crowned World Cup champions, while expressing his wish to see the Israeli team in the next tournament, which Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will jointly host in 2030.
“I hope to see Israel in the next World Cup,” Herzog wrote in a message posted on social network X, also sending his “best wishes” to King Felipe VI, the Spanish team, and “all the Spanish people” for winning the title after beating Argentina 1-0. The Israeli leader also congratulated Argentina “for their extraordinary campaign until the tournament final.”
On the eve of the final, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had wished luck to Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, and shown support for that country’s team. “Javier, you are a friend. A good friend. We support you and support Argentina in many ways, including tomorrow. Good luck!” Netanyahu said in a call to Milei, made in his Jerusalem office alongside Argentina’s ambassador to Israel, Axel Wahnish, according to Efe.
Seven arrested in Madrid during celebrations
The balance of the night of celebrations in the Community of Madrid for the Spanish national team’s victory in the world football championship ended with seven arrests for various incidents without serious public order disturbances.
The night passed normally and without serious incidents, reports the Government Delegation, highlighting that the security deployment allowed thousands of people to enjoy a festive and celebratory day.
Three arrested during celebrations in Barcelona
About 46,000 people celebrated last night in Barcelona the Spanish national team’s victory in the World Cup final, a celebration that was festive and with hardly any incidents, except for the arrest of three people for thefts during the fans’ gatherings.
According to the Mossos d’Esquadra reported to EFE, most fans, about 27,000, celebrated the Spanish team’s victory at the Fórum platform, where Barcelona City Hall had installed a giant 8 x 5 meter screen to follow the final.
Another point where many Roja supporters gathered was Plaza Catalunya, with about 13,000 people, while 5,000 gathered at Arc de Triomf and about a thousand fans at Plaza de España.
I crashed your party: Donald Trump in Spain’s world champion photo
July 2026, the Spanish national team is crowned world champion for the second time in its history after defeating Argentina 0-1. Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, and Donald Trump present the trophy to Rodri Hernández, team captain. It was time to step back and let the captain lift the cup to the New York sky, but the U.S. president was not willing. Infantino seemed to pull him, Rodri, very ‘sharp,’ delayed the moment, but seeing that the president resisted leaving the platform and even stopped to greet other teammates, he ended up gently pushing him on the back to move aside. Still, he did not fully withdraw, and despite his friend Infantino trying to take him away, Rodri lifted the precious trophy with Trump and the FIFA president on one side. A photo for history.
Read the full news
Audience: extra time, the most-watched in Spanish TV history
Last night’s final surpassed by almost two points the 2010 South Africa World Cup final. An average of 15,385,000 viewers watched the final on all channels it aired—La 1, La 2, Teledeporte, Dazn, and La 2Cat—achieving an 85.4% share compared to 85.9% in 2010. Extra time has become the most-watched television moment in Spain’s history with an average audience of 16,608,000 viewers, a title previously held by the 2010 South Africa World Cup final extra time where Spain won its first star.
Read the full news, by Esther Mucientes
The celebration in Spain’s locker room: few dances, a 2,000-euro wine, and Lamine’s cigar
There was a party in the Spanish national team’s locker room, of course, but moderate. Champagne shower with a giant bottle shaken by Joan Garcia and more photos, because all the players wanted to return to Spain on a plane they took almost immediately. Before, a quick dinner. Lamine posing lighting a cigar and Marcos Llorente opening a more than 2,000-euro bottle of wine to celebrate Ferran’s goal. All in an intimacy broken by Borja Iglesias when at 9:45 p.m. he left towards the bus with a giant speaker that stirred the noise that led to singing Bad Bunny and his NUEVAYol on the bus.
Read the full information by Inma Lidón
13-year-old boy dies after fountain collapse in Ciudad Rodrigo (Salamanca) during celebrations
A 13-year-old teenager has died in Ciudad Rodrigo, Castilla y León, and three others were seriously injured while participating in celebrations of the Spanish national team’s World Cup victory.
While inside the Árbol Gordo fountain with other young people celebrating the Spanish team’s triumph, part of the structure gave way due to the crowding, and a stone fell on the victim.
Read the full news
Entertainment at Cibeles from 6:00 p.m.
From 6:00 p.m., the stage installed next to the Communications Palace will host a full program of music, entertainment, and shows to liven up the wait until the arrival of the players and technical staff, expected around 9:00 p.m., with the participation of DJs, prominent artists, and many surprises.
This will be the celebration of the national team in Madrid
The Spanish men’s national football team will celebrate this Monday in Madrid the achievement of the 2026 World Cup, the second star in its history, with visits to the Zarzuela Palace, Moncloa, and a parade through the capital ending at the party in Cibeles.
Luis de la Fuente’s team will land in Madrid around 12:50 from Newark. Then, the national team will have a first appointment at 5:30 p.m. with the King and Queen at the Zarzuela Palace and later will go to Moncloa for the reception by the Prime Minister.
After the official acts, the champions will tour some of the capital’s most important streets on an open bus heading to Plaza de Cibeles.
Read more Messi says goodbye in tears in a powerless and furious Argentina: «We have to be great in defeat»
