King Felipe VI of Spain received the 2026 World Cup champions on Monday at the Zarzuela Palace on the outskirts of Madrid, after the team's delegation arrived from the United States following a 1–0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final. The king, who watched the match at the New York New Jersey stadium, thanked the players, coaching staff, and management for winning the tournament for the second time, stressing that their victory was a victory for the entire country. Felipe VI said in a brief speech delivered in the royal palace gardens: 'When our national team plays, we all play. When you won, you did that for all of Spain.' He added: 'You knew how to give all your determination, resilience, and bravery. You were united, you worked as one team, and you showed a spirit of solidarity and generosity, and above all, you won with a magnificent performance.' Accompanying the king were Queen Letizia, who wore a red dress matching the colors of the team's shirts, and their daughters Princesses Leonor and Sofia. The king welcomed each player, shaking hands before embracing young star Lamine Yamal. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who also attended the match, received the players and congratulated them on their victory and bringing the cup back at the expense of Argentina, the 2022 title holders. Rodri, the team captain, said in his speech during the reception at the Moncloa Palace: 'I always say: winning with your country's national team is the most beautiful thing of all, especially the World Cup. Lifting the cup is the greatest achievement you can accomplish in football.' Rodri, who was named the tournament's best player, continued: 'This generation grew up watching Iker Casillas and Andres Iniesta lift the cup in 2010. To be able to achieve that today, that is the greatest achievement you can make.' On the other hand, the team's open-top bus toured the streets of central Madrid from the famous Plaza de Cibeles, where the Madrid City Hall is located. Francisco Martin, the representative of the central government in Madrid, told Spanish state television that the procession started from the vicinity of the government headquarters and arrived at Plaza de Cibeles, which is the traditional place for the Spanish national team's fans to gather and celebrate. Martin estimated that about one million people lined the route of the procession, which was accompanied by extensive security deployment involving 2,050 police officers and 400 Civil Guard members.