Spain’s national soccer team arrived back in Madrid on July 20 after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, transported on a special Iberia charter flight IB1410 aboard an Airbus A350-900 with special World Cup livery.
The aircraft, which had also carried the squad to the tournament, flew nonstop from Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
The flight took place just one day after their historic 1-0 victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to secure the 2026 FIFA World Cup title.
Flight IB1410 nonstop from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), a 6-hour and 30-minute transatlantic flight. It touched down in the Spanish capital at 2:30 PM local time.
The flight was operated by one of Iberia’s most modern wide-body aircraft, an Airbus A350-900 (Registration: EC-MYX). The exterior featured a special World Cup theme and was branded with the patriotic slogan: Despega un equipo. Vuela un país” (One team takes off. A nation flies).
The atmosphere inside the cabin was highly festive, featuring soccer themed safety announcements and personalised victory speeches from the captain. A custom championship cake was prepared by the crew, featuring two World Cup stars to represent Spain’s 2010 and 2026 triumphs.
Live updates were broadcast by pilots to other commercial Iberia flights mid-air, allowing passengers across the world to join the celebration. The journey was a major event for aviation enthusiasts, becoming the most tracked flight in the world on Flightradar24 as thousands followed the squad across the Atlantic.
Upon landing, the Spanish national flag was waved from the cockpit window as the plane taxied. Head coach Luis de la Fuente emerged first, followed closely by tournament MVP and captain Rodri, who held the World Cup trophy high at the top of the airstairs before heading into the city for a massive open-top bus parade. The team later met King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez before an open-top bus parade through the capital, where around one million fans attended.
