royal family trip

Princess Leonor joins King Felipe and Queen Letizia for major World Cup final trip as Spain faces Argentina


The King’s attendance also fulfills a promise he made to the Spanish players earlier in the tournament.


Princess Leonor joins King Felipe and Queen Letizia for historic World Cup final trip to New York© Paolo Blocco
Daniel NeiraSenior Writer
JULY 15, 2026 7:17 PM EDT

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are heading to the World Cup final with their daughters. The Spanish Royal Household has confirmed that the King and Queen, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía will travel together to the New York area to support Spain in its highly anticipated championship match against Argentina.

The royal family will be in the stands on Sunday, July 19, when Spain attempts to win its second men’s World Cup title at New York New Jersey Stadium, commonly known as MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofía celebrated Spain's place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after La Roja's 2-0 victory over France.© @casareal.es
King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía will travel to New York to support Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Argentina secured the remaining place in the final on Wednesday, July 15, after defeating England 2-1 in a dramatic semifinal in Atlanta. England initially took the lead, but late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez completed Argentina’s comeback and set up a blockbuster showdown with Spain.

Argentina secured the remaining place in the final on Wednesday, July 15, after defeating England 2-1 in a dramatic semifinal in Atlanta.© Alex Livesey - Danehouse
Argentina secured the remaining place in the final on Wednesday, July 15, after defeating England 2-1 in a dramatic semifinal in Atlanta.

Spain advanced one day earlier with a commanding 2-0 victory over France, earning its first appearance in a men’s World Cup final since winning the tournament in 2010.

A rare royal family appearance:

The trip will bring all four members of Spain’s royal family together at one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

Spain advanced one day earlier with a commanding 2-0 victory over France© Daniela Porcelli
Spain advanced one day earlier with a commanding 2-0 victory over France

While members of the family regularly attend important matches separately, it is unusual for King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía to travel together to support the national team at a major international final.

Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía have also become increasingly visible representatives of the Crown at sporting events. Sofía attended Spain’s victorious 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Australia with Queen Letizia and accompanied King Felipe to the men’s Euro 2024 final.

King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía watched Spain's World Cup semifinal together from Barcelona before celebrating the historic victory.© Casa de Su Majestad el Rey
Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía wore personalized Spain jerseys while cheering on La Roja during the World Cup semifinal.

Leonor and Sofía later attended the Women’s Euro 2025 final together, further demonstrating the sisters’ growing role in representing the royal family abroad.

Sunday’s game will now give the daughters the opportunity to attend a men’s World Cup final with both of their parents. King Felipe and Queen Letizia were present when Spain defeated the Netherlands to win its first World Cup title in South Africa in 2010, but Leonor and Sofía did not attend the match.

King Felipe VI celebrated Spain's 2-0 victory over France with an emotional embrace alongside Queen Letizia and their daughters.© Casa de Su Majestad el Rey
The Spanish royal family celebrated Spain's semifinal victory while watching the match together in Barcelona.

King Felipe fulfills his promise to Spain:

The King’s attendance also fulfills a promise he made to the Spanish players earlier in the tournament.

King Felipe VI visited Spain's national team earlier in the tournament and promised he would return if they reached the World Cup final.© CARL DE SOUZA
King Felipe VI visited Spain's national team earlier in the tournament and promised he would return if they reached the World Cup final.

Felipe visited the national team in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he attended Spain’s group-stage match against Uruguay on June 26. During his meeting with the players, the monarch reportedly told them that he would not return to see the team until the final.

Now that Spain is one victory away from lifting the trophy, Felipe will keep his word, and he will be joined by Letizia, Leonor and Sofía for the occasion.

The Spanish royal family will be among the spectators as Spain competes for its second FIFA World Cup title.© Hector Vivas - FIFA
The Spanish royal family will be among the spectators as Spain competes for its second FIFA World Cup title.

The family had already shown its excitement following Spain’s semifinal victory. While in Barcelona for events surrounding the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards, Felipe, Letizia, Leonor and Sofía watched the match together wearing personalized Spain jerseys featuring their names and the number 26.

Footage released by the Royal Household showed the four royals reacting enthusiastically as Spain defeated France and secured its place in the final.

Spain will now face reigning champion Argentina on Sunday, July 19, at 3 p.m. ET. The winner will leave New Jersey with the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy.