State Welcome for La Roja Draws 1.8 Million to Madrid Following World Cup Victory

Spain’s national football team, La Roja, returned to Madrid on 20 July 2026 for a formal state welcome and public parade following their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final. An estimated 1.8 million people greeted the squad in the capital, a figure that Al Jazeera reported represents more than half of Madrid’s population. The turnout underscores the scale of public engagement with the national team’s campaign, which concluded with a decisive win in the tournament’s final match.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe VI received the players before they embarked on an open-top bus tour from Moncloa Palace to Cibeles. The state reception served as the official conclusion to the team’s international duties, transitioning the squad from competitive play to a civic celebration. The route from the Prime Minister’s residence to the city centre allowed the players to be seen by the large crowds that had gathered to mark the occasion.

The victory was the culmination of a strong tournament run for Spain, which included a semi-final win against France. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured that semi-final victory, continuing a recent pattern of success against their opponents. Spain has now won three consecutive matches against France in major tournaments, including the 2024 European Championship and the 205 UEFA Nations League semifinals.

In contrast to the celebratory atmosphere in Madrid, tensions escalated in Buenos Aires following Argentina’s defeat. Police in the Argentine capital deployed water cannons and tear gas after clashes broke out among fans gathering at the Obelisk. Police sources confirmed that fifteen people were detained during the incidents, highlighting the divergent outcomes for the two finalist nations on the same day.

The 2026 World Cup final saw Argentina fall 1-0 to Spain, ending their hopes of retaining the title. The match concluded a tournament in which Kylian Mbappé scored eight goals, placing him level with Lionel Messi in the competition’s scoring charts. Spain’s victory solidifies their status as the current world champions, with the state welcome in Madrid serving as the formal acknowledgment of their achievement.