Later tonight, Spain’s national soccer team will face Uruguay in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The two teams will meet at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, with first place in Group H on the line.
The matchup features two of international soccer’s traditional powers. Uruguay, a two-time FIFA World Cup champion, will take on Spain, which captured its first World Cup title in 2010 and reclaimed European supremacy by winning UEFA Euro 2024.
King Felipe VI arrived in Mexico on Thursday, where he met with President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace ahead of the highly anticipated match.
© Getty ImagesKing Felipe VI Meets Mexico’s President
Upon arriving in Mexico City, King Felipe was welcomed by Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Velasco, who accompanied him through the ceremonial honor guard. Also on hand were Spain’s ambassador to Mexico, Juan Duarte; Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Minister, María Teresa Mercado; Mexico’s Director General of Protocol, Jonathan Chait; Spain’s deputy chief of mission, María Salcedo; and Spain’s military attaché in Mexico, Alberto Guevara.
© Anadolu via Getty ImagesWhy the King Is Attending the World Cup
With his appearance, King Felipe VI joins several other royals who have traveled to North America to support their national teams. Among them are King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, accompanied by their youngest daughter, Princess Ariane; Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa; their daughter Princess Iman; and Prince Hashem.
© Getty ImagesWhy King Felipe VI Has Earned the Reputation of Being La Roja’s Lucky Charm
King Felipe VI has long been a devoted supporter of Spain’s national soccer team—even before ascending the throne. Since becoming king 12 years ago, he has attended some of Spain’s biggest matches at both the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship, tournaments in which the national team has produced some memorable performances.
Many fans have come to see the Spanish monarch as something of a lucky charm for La Roja.
© Visionhaus/Getty Images2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia
King Felipe made a whirlwind trip to Russia for Spain’s Round of 16 match against the host nation.
The game ended in a penalty shootout, with Russia advancing. Ever supportive in both victory and defeat, the King visited the locker room afterward to comfort the players following the heartbreaking elimination. Although Spain’s World Cup run came to an end that day, he made sure the team knew it had not been abandoned when it needed support most.
© Getty ImagesUEFA Euro 2020
Spain opened its Euro 2020 campaign against Sweden at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville. The tournament, postponed by a year because of the pandemic, got underway under strict health protocols, and the match ended in a scoreless draw.
Wearing a face mask, King Felipe came to encourage the players before the game. He acknowledged the attendance restrictions imposed because of COVID-19, saying: "No matter what, we should be happy that the tournament is taking place, that the games can be played, and that fans are back in the stadiums so we can gradually return to normal."
© Getty ImagesHe added: "Taking on a tournament like this is a tremendous challenge. It’s about inspiring excitement and playing great soccer."
He concluded with a message of confidence for the team: "Just do what you know how to do, enjoy it, and bring us plenty of joy. I’m sure you will." The match ultimately finished 0–0.
Qatar 2022: The Historic 7–0 Victory
On November 23, 2022, King Felipe attended Spain’s World Cup opener against Costa Rica at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. His presence certainly seemed to bring good fortune. Spain delivered a stunning 7–0 victory, one of the most dominant performances in the tournament’s history.
After watching from the VIP box, the King enthusiastically visited the locker room to congratulate the players, telling them that watching them play had been "an absolute delight."
© Royal Spanish Football FederatioSpain’s World Cup run, however, ended in the Round of 16 after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco
Following the painful defeat, Spain’s Royal Household shared a message of encouragement: "Nothing ends here. In this World Cup, everything begins for a team with a tremendous future ahead. Keep moving forward, keep competing, and keep fighting. The victories will come."
The Glorious Euro 2024 Triumph
If there was ever a tournament that cemented King Felipe’s reputation as Spain’s lucky charm, it was UEFA Euro 2024.
Just one day after the ceremonies marking the tenth anniversary of his reign, the King traveled to the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, to watch Spain face Italy. Spain earned a spectacular 1–0 victory that secured its place in the knockout stage.
© Getty ImagesA month later, at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, King Felipe attended the final alongside his younger daughter, Infanta Sofía, as Spain faced England.
Also in attendance were Prince William and Prince George, who watched England settle for the runner-up finish. Spain defeated England 2–1 in a historic final, capturing its fourth European Championship.
© Getty ImagesThe King and the Infanta celebrated from the stands before joining the team on the field after the trophy presentation. In emotional scenes, Felipe could be seen celebrating exuberantly alongside the players, sharing in the country’s joy as one more member of the team. At one point, he even lifted the championship trophy himself.
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