World Cup champions Spain began their open-top bus parade through the streets of Madrid on Monday evening, as an estimated two million fans turned out to celebrate.
The victory parade is making its way through the Spanish capital, where thousands of supporters are greeting the team with chants of "España, España" and a sea of mobile phones held aloft to capture the moment.
Supporters pack Madrid’s streets
Hundreds of thousands of supporters filled the streets of Madrid on Monday to celebrate Spain’s World Cup victory with the national team.
From the bus, the players waved to the crowds, lifted the World Cup trophy and celebrated with supporters lining the streets.
The capital has turned red and white to welcome the Spanish team, with thousands of supporters filling the streets, the Metro stations and the bus route.
The tension of the final is now behind them, replaced by emotion and an overwhelming desire to celebrate a new world title.
Pedro Sánchez pays tribute to Spain's world champions
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed Spain's national team to on Monday to celebrate their World Cup triumph.
The Prime Minister thanked the players and coaching staff for their efforts and the football they produced throughout the tournament, before urging them to dream of another title in 2030.
"Why not believe that, as the saying goes, good things come in threes?" he said.
Official reception with Spain’s royal family
Spain’s national team was received at Zarzuela Palace by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, accompanied by Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, following their World Cup triumph.
During the ceremony, the players broke into the traditional chant of “Campeones, campeones” before posing for the official photograph. The King hailed the victory as an “epic triumph” and thanked the team for returning Spain to the summit of world football.
He also praised the team’s efforts throughout the tournament and dismissed the criticism it had faced, insisting that nothing could overshadow “the joy of bringing the trophy home”.
La Roja in Madrid
Spain’s national team is now back in Madrid. The Iberia flight bringing them home from the United States landed at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
Before the official World Cup celebrations got under way, the players had a few hours’ rest to celebrate the triumph with their families.
This is the first time the team has set foot on Spanish soil since lifting the World Cup, 16 years after their historic triumph at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
The Spanish capital has turned red to welcome the new champions on a route that will culminate in Cibeles Square, where the main celebrations for Spain's second World Cup title will take place.
FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Argentina
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over incidents involving several players and a member of the coaching staff during the World Cup final.
The governing body will investigate their conduct and determine whether any sanctions should be imposed.
