Huge crowds in Madrid celebrate Spain's World Cup victory

Spain’s national football team celebrated their second World Cup title on Monday night, with players dancing and cheering atop an open-top bus emblazoned with “Kings of the World” and decorated with two large stars, as they made their way through Madrid’s crowded streets filled with enthusiastic fans.

According to government estimates, nearly two million people—many wearing team shirts and waving red and gold flags—gathered in the Spanish capital to watch the players and celebrate Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final held in New Jersey.

Fran Caratala, 34, who traveled from Catalonia in the northeast to see the players’ parade in Madrid, said, “We are thrilled to see our dream of winning the World Cup come true.”

Spaniard Daniel Jaona, 44, came from Estonia, where he lives, to watch Sunday’s final in Madrid.

As he prepared to watch the players’ parade, he said, “Everyone was going crazy. The atmosphere was incredible. People were so happy. There were no problems, just a lot of joy. It’s something you have to experience for yourself.”

The Spanish players, most wearing shirts reading “We are the champions,” with a few shirtless, waved continuously to the crowds and tossed footballs to the fans.

Some players, such as striker Borja Iglesias, played music from the bus, which displayed a sign on the side and rear reading, “The stars shine together.”

Before the parade, King Felipe VI of Spain and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the players. Both had attended Sunday’s final.

Sánchez told the players, “I would like to sincerely thank the coaching staff and players for your style of play, your effort, and your victory.”

He added that he dreams of Spain winning a third men’s World Cup at the next tournament in 2030, which will be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.