The capital is gearing up to experience the grand final of the 2026 World Cup between Spain and Argentina this Sunday. The City Council will install a giant screen in Plaza de Colón to follow the match.
Plaza de Colón will be the epicentre of football in Madrid this Sunday. The City Council has confirmed the installation of a 200 square metre giant screen so that fans can watch the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina live. The device will start at 18:00, three hours before the kick-off.
Rivalry and Atmosphere in the Streets
The presence of the large Argentine community in Madrid —estimated to be around 90,000 residents— adds an extra layer of tension and colour to the event. Last Thursday, hundreds of albiceleste fans gathered in Plaza Mayor chanting slogans like 'they are scared', to which some locals responded by waving Spanish flags from their balconies.
On social media, the slogan 'Latin America minus Argentina' has gone viral, reflecting the frustration of other South American fans such as those from Colombia, Chile, or Uruguay regarding the perceived arrogance of Argentine supporters. This is compounded by recent controversies: racist insults directed at streamer iShowSpeed and the banner 'The Falklands are Argentine' displayed by players like Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso after the match against England.
Accusations of referee bias in favour of Argentina have also emerged, with decisions such as the disallowed goal against Egypt or the red card for Breel Embolo against Switzerland. Although these are speculations, it is true that the Argentine team does not arrive at the final with the same international backing as in previous occasions.
Madrid Residents, Confident but Cautious
Despite the rivalry, Madrid fans do not underestimate their opponents. Many acknowledge that the match will be very close and with few goals. A group of young Canadians in the capital expressed that the Argentines 'won last time, they don’t need to win again', while Mexicans and Colombians leaned towards Spain, albeit with a tight 1-0 or 3-2 scoreline.
A Spanish couple summed up the general sentiment:
We will win, but it will be very close.Some even predict a draw and a penalty shootout as the outcome, given the high quality of both teams.
Special Arrangements and Recommendations
The City Council of Madrid has activated a security operation with over 300 Municipal Police and Samur agents. It is recommended to arrive early, use public transport, and avoid bulky items. The Colón screen is in addition to other screens set up in shopping centres and bars throughout the region.
For those who prefer to watch the match at home, La 1 de TVE will broadcast the game live from 21:00. Either way, Madrid is preparing for a night of football, passion, and perhaps, a new star for La Roja.
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