Spain have become the first nation in football history to simultaneously hold the FIFA Men’s World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup titles.
FIFA announced the milestone in a post on its official X handle on Sunday following Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New York.
Celebrating the achievement, FIFA wrote, “History-makers Spain have become the first nation to hold both the @FIFAWorldCup and @FIFAWWC simultaneously!”
Spain’s triumph in the men’s tournament came three years after the country’s women’s team lifted the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time by defeating England 1-0 in the 2023 final in Sydney, Australia, thanks to Olga Carmona’s decisive goal.
The latest success also marked Spain’s second men’s World Cup title, having previously won the tournament in South Africa in 2010.
By claiming the 2026 crown while remaining the reigning women’s world champions, Spain achieved a feat no other nation has managed since the inception of the two FIFA World Cup competitions.
The historic double further highlights Spain’s recent dominance in international football.
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In addition to holding both World Cup trophies, the country’s men’s team won the UEFA European Championship in 2024, while its women’s side has remained among the leading forces in world football since capturing its maiden global title in Australia and New Zealand.
The 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, secured by Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike, triggered nationwide celebrations in Spain, with millions rejoicing over the country’s first World Cup triumph since 2010.
Many younger fans were experiencing the moment for the first time, having been too young to remember Andres Iniesta’s extra-time winner against the Netherlands in South Africa 16 years ago.
By Monday morning, Madrid’s main avenue, the Castellana, showed signs of a night of celebrations, with rubbish, beer cans and broken glass scattered across the streets. Some supporters slept on pavements and benches with smiles on their faces, while others continued making their way home as cleaning crews prepared the city for another round of festivities.
Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida said many people struggled to sleep after the emotional final and the celebrations that followed.
After landing, the players were scheduled to meet King Felipe VI at Zarzuela Palace before visiting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at La Moncloa.
The World Cup winners will then take part in an open-top bus parade from Moncloa to Cibeles Square, where a celebration ceremony will be held. Officials expect about one million supporters to line the route, with extra security and transport measures put in place.
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