MADRID (AP) — Spain world cupwinning soccer team The 26-member team is scheduled to return home on Monday, where they will be welcomed by the Spanish royal family and other Spaniards. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez before boarding an open-top bus that parades through central Madrid.
They will be greeted by a large crowd of fans as they travel from near the Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s official residence, to Plaza de Cibeles.
A ceremony with the players will then be held in the square where past Spanish national teams and their supporters traditionally gather for celebrations.
Spain defeated dethroned champion Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and left with the trophy. It was the second time Spain had won the title, after winning in South Africa in 2010.
capital of spain excited about the celebration After the final whistle, thousands of supporters poured into the streets from bars and restaurants, many wearing Spanish flags or team colors.
Crowds packed Madrid’s Puerta de Sol and other main squares, singing, dancing and lighting smoke bombs as car horns blared throughout the capital.
Many celebrated Sunday’s victory until early Monday morning.
“I’m very happy. I slept for three or four hours, but I’ll do anything for the team,” 19-year-old Victor Alvarez said early Monday.
World Cup title combined with Women’s World Cup victory Spain in 2023The European country became the first nation to hold both the men’s and women’s titles at the same time.
But the celebrations were muted after local authorities reported that a 13-year-old boy was killed in Salamanca, northwest of Madrid, when a fountain he climbed to celebrate with friends collapsed.
For many young Spanish supporters, this victory was the first time they saw a men’s team lift a trophy and witnessed the national excitement that followed.
Ahead of the team’s return home, supporters were at Madrid’s Barajas Airport ready to greet them in the arrivals hall, many wearing their team jerseys and waving Spanish flags.
A group of supporters also began securing a spot near Plaza de Cibeles late Monday morning, bringing umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun and temperatures expected to soar to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).
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