Spain’s midfielder #16 Rodri lifts the trophy with his teammates after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)
Spain’s World Cup-winning squad returned home on Monday to a hero’s welcome after defeating Argentina to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy.
Thousands of jubilant supporters gathered in Madrid to celebrate La Roja’s historic triumph, with the team set to parade the World Cup trophy through the Spanish capital following their arrival.
Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup title after Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time to secure a 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The tightly contested final remained scoreless throughout regulation time before Torres found the breakthrough early in the second half of extra time, sealing a famous victory for Spain.
The result denied Argentina captain Lionel Messi what is widely expected to be his final opportunity to win the World Cup, bringing the 39-year-old’s campaign to a heartbreaking end.
While celebrations erupted across Spain, Argentina’s return home was overshadowed by controversy following chaotic scenes after the final whistle.
FIFA has since opened an investigation into the conduct of members of the Argentine team during the post-match incidents. Football’s world governing body is expected to review the events before deciding whether disciplinary action is warranted.
Spain’s victory marks another landmark achievement for the national team, while Argentina’s defeat—and the controversy that followed—brought a dramatic conclusion to the 2026 World Cup.
