After the World Cup final, there was no time for much else. Teammates, family, and then a trip to Madrid. The city’s streets were already decorated in red to welcome the players, no matter the result. From New York, around 14:40, the players will arrive at Barajas. The fatigue doesn’t matter; the few hours of sleep are gladly endured when what caused them was worth it. This applies both to the players and the fans, who have flooded the streets of Madrid and all of Spain over the past weeks.
After the storm of eight intense matches and the longest World Cup in the history of the competition, comes the ‘calm’ to thank the expedition of the team led by Luis de la Fuente. Yes, ‘calm’ in quotes because there will be everything but calm. Spain already has the plan ready to let out all those feelings along with the 12th player, the fans. This afternoon, the players’ bus will start the parade through the streets of the capital.
It will be from the Moncloa Interchange to the Plaza de Cibeles, where thousands of fans are expected. Some reminiscing about that celebration with Pepe Reina on the microphone, others remembering Marc Cucurella at the Euro 2024 celebration, and the youngest seeing their national team’s victory for the first time. Let them not forget, just in case, although these players seem capable of bringing many more joys. But for now, they should keep this memory well.
With a security setup similar to that of the Euro 2024 in Germany, a large deployment is expected with around 500 National Police officers and 150 Civil Guard personnel. Just like in 2024, the players will start with institutional visits before the mass celebration. It is planned that the Zarzuela Palace and Moncloa will be their first stops and, following this, the bus will start with all the internationals on top of it. And Luis de la Fuente and his team of collaborators. Of course.
Starting at the Moncloa interchange, the parade will continue along Calle Princesa towards Alberto Aguilera. Through this route, it will reach Plaza de Colón, where all the national team’s matches could be followed. It will head to the City Hall, in the Communications Palace of Plaza de Cibeles. And let the show begin.
A star-studded lineup
A show for which Spain will have top-level musical performances. So far, those of Ardé Bogotá, Ana Mena, and Lola Índigo are the only ones confirmed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. But it is expected that other prominent artists and groups in the current music scene will continue to join this star-studded lineup. All accompanied by several DJs and a few surprises.
The time Spain perfected its first star, nearly two million people took to the streets of Madrid to welcome the heroes, those Vicente del Bosque boys who theoretically scared no one but ended up frightening everyone (literally). Unity is the word that comes to the mind of an entire country when recalling what happened in the capital to welcome the champions. Unity is the word Spaniards will think of when remembering the United States World Cup. Madrid is preparing and all of Spain awaits to welcome the idols.
