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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Jujemay Awit

Spain Waited 16 Years for This: Why Millions Filled Madrid After FIFA World Cup 2026 Win

Close to two million people trooped to Madrid to celebrate Spain’s World Cup win (Credit: Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol Twitter Account)

Millions of Spaniards celebrate the return of the 26-man Spanish Football Team following their triumph at the recently concluded World Cup 2026 in the US. The streets of Madrid turned into a sea of red with yellow accents as fans lined up to celebrate the team on board an open-top bus.

The fans waited 16 years for this moment. The Spanish team brought home their second World Cup trophy after defeating Argentina 1-0 on Sunday, 19 July. Spain's first World Cup win came on 11 July 2010 when the Iker Casillas-led 23-man roster defeated the Netherlands, 1-0, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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