FIFA World Cup 2026: Marc Cucurella leads the chorus as Madrid celebr…

Madrid [Spain], July 21 (ANI): Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles turned into the heart of Spain’s FIFA World Cup 2026 celebrations on Monday as thousands of jubilant fans welcomed the newly crowned champions, with Marc Cucurella stealing the show by leading supporters in a viral chant while the squad paraded through the streets of Madrid aboard an open-top bus.

According to Fox Sports, the Spanish players were greeted by a sea of red and yellow as their open-air bus made its way through the capital’s historic streets toward the iconic Cibeles Square, where supporters had been gathering since early morning. wlop.pl

Un país entero volcado

NewsSouth Africa add three T20Is to home series against IndiaThe three T20I matches will be played after Christmas this year, just a few weeks prior to the commencement of the Champions Trophy, which will be played in February 2027Open →

South Africa add three T20Is to home series against India

¡SOMOS BICAMPEONES DEL MUNDO! #VamosEspaña | #ReyesDelMundo pic.twitter.com/MpGJVfsxxz

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 20, 2026

The celebrations continued well into the evening despite the team returning only hours after their World Cup final victory in New Jersey.

Left-back Marc Cucurella, who played every minute of Spain’s victorious campaign, delighted the crowd by lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy high before taking the microphone to sing the now-famous chant featuring his surname that first went viral in 2024. Fans joined in as the celebrations reached a fever pitch.

Esto ya es un clásico

¡¡CUCU, CUCURELLA!!#VamosEspaña | #ReyesDelMundo pic.twitter.com/z7f2pYiaT4

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 20, 2026

Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal also played his part in the festivities, singing along to Bad Bunny songs aboard the parade bus, as per Fox Sports.

The 19-year-old Barcelona star, who was one of Spain’s standout performers throughout the tournament, also shared a heartwarming moment after spotting a fan holding a poster of his younger brother, Keyne. The banner was passed to Yamal, who proudly held it aloft for supporters lining the route.

By the time the squad reached Plaza de Cibeles for the closing ceremony, the atmosphere remained electric. Players were introduced one by one, with captain and Golden Ball winner Rodri receiving one of the loudest ovations from the packed square.

After that, the head coach, Luis de la Fuente, was tossed into the air in unison by the Spanish team players — a celebration commonly referred to as “the bump" in North American sports and “doh-age" in Japanese sports culture.

Earlier in the day, head coach Luis de la Fuente and his players arrived in Madrid before attending official receptions at Zarzuela Palace with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the Spanish royal family, including King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. They then boarded the open-top bus that carried them through the capital as thousands celebrated Spain’s return to the summit of world football.

Spain ended a 16-year wait for World Cup glory by defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute after reacting quickest to a loose ball following Pedro Porro’s cross and Nico Williams’ assist. Luis de la Fuente’s side dominated the final, enjoying 68 per cent possession, producing 20 shots with 11 on target, while restricting Argentina to just four attempts.

The celebrations in Madrid marked not only Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title after their 2010 triumph but also the arrival of a new generation led by Rodri, Yamal and a defence that conceded just once throughout the tournament. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

The All India Chess Federation has awarded quarterly stipends worth Rs 42.3 lakh to 42 top junior players across the Under-7 to Under-19 categories. Selected based on their 2024 National Championship performances, each receives Rs 60,000-Rs 1.5 lakh to support coaching and travel. AICF says the historic initiative aims to remove financial barriers and strengthen India's grassroots chess ecosystem.

Spain secured their World Cup title with a late extra-time goal from Ferran Torres. This victory mirrored Andres Iniesta's decisive strike from sixteen years prior. Argentina's performance lacked intensity and suffered from disciplinary issues throughout the match. Spain's methodical and dynamic play contrasted sharply with Argentina's struggles. The event concluded with a poignant moment between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shut down their critics by the end of the three-match ODI series against England last week. While Team India lost the series 1-2, Rohit Sharma smashed his 34th ODI century and 8th in England while Kohli came up with back-to-back fifties in the last two ODI games after scoring only 5 in the first ODI.

Former India captain Rohit Sharma was under immense pressure after media reports had claimed that the Indian opener had been informed by the BCCI selectors that they were looking beyond him for future ODI series after England. There was even speculation that Rohit could announce his international retirement at Lord’s in the third and final ODI match on Sunday but the 39-year-old replied with a brilliant 138 off 110 balls with 5 sixes and 17 fours in his innings in a chase of 388 runs to win.

Kohli, on the other hand, came up with knocks of 74 and 65 in the last two ODI matches – both of which Team India lost to England and surrender the ODI series as well after losing the T20I series 4-0. Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin claims that the Indian team management including captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir will not be able to touch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming ODI series in the lead up to possibly even the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 next year.

“Rohit Sharma aur Virat Kohli ko touch nahi kar payenge (They will not be able to touch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli). They cannot touch Virat and Rohit if they want to play,” Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

“It’s because of their credentials. Rohit has scored almost 12000 runs; they cannot touch him. The other thing is, they can’t be touched because they are batters. They have an army, a battalion,” Ashwin said.

Ravi Ashwin on security given to players by Rahul Dravid during his coaching instint:

“Can anyone say Rahul Dravid didn’t use to play, he dropped any player unnecessarily or not given long-rope to players or didn’t keep stability in team?

Let me give an example, the way he keep… pic.twitter.com/OyvDXfc3iZ

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) July 20, 2026

“People come to see them. If you drop them, it will just break the roof down. But if Shami, Siraj or Bhuvneshwar aren’t picked, 10 people will question. 100 people, 1000 people, maybe 10,000 people will question,” Ashwin added.

Fans will now be wondering when will ‘RoKo’ be in action next in ODI cricket for Team India. The bad news for the fans is that the wait to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could be as long as a couple of months.

Team India is not officially scheduled to play an ODI match till September 27, against two-time ODI World Cup champions West Indies. There are ongoing talks between the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) whether a T20I and ODI series can be arranged possibly in month of August but it hasn’t materialised as yet.

Here is the schedule for India vs West Indies 2026 ODI series…

India vs West India 1st ODI – Thiruvananthapuram – September 27, 2026 from 2pm onwards

India vs West Indies 2nd ODI – Guwahati – September 30, 2026 from 2pm onwards

India vs West Indies 3rd ODI – New Chandigarh – October 3, 2026 from 2pm onwards

Here are all the details about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback…

When will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback take place?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback is scheduled to take place in 1st ODI vs West Indies.

Where will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback take place?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback is scheduled to take place in 1st ODI vs West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram.

What time will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback begin?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback will take place in 1st ODI vs West Indies which will begin at 2pm IST.

How can I watch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback LIVE on TV in India?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback will be available LIVE on Star Sports network channels in India.

How can I watch live streaming of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback in India?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s international comeback will be available for live streaming on JioHostar website and app in India.