"Sports demonstrate tolerance and respect, generosity and team spirit that fill our country with pride and make it great." These words, spoken by King Felipe VI in a speech years ago, are more meaningful than ever now that all of Spain is awaiting the 2026 World Cup final this Sunday.
© @casareal.esThe match against Argentina will be historic, with the King and Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofía making the trip to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. They'll almost certainly wear the same national team jerseys they sported while watching the semifinal from home—a jersey with the number 26 printed on it that has sparked all kinds of theories.
Two Theories and One Simple Answer
It was a surprise to see the Royal Family passionately watching the semifinal against France after the Princess of Girona Awards. The image of the four family members seated on the couch, cheering on goals by Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, was reminiscent of any other Spanish household at that moment.
King Felipe, Queen Letizia, the Princess of Asturias, and Infanta Sofía swapped their awards ceremony looks for the national team's away jerseys. Each jersey was printed with their name and the number 26, a figure many thought was a nod to the 26 players selected by Luis de la Fuente for the World Cup. But it's just a coincidence, as the number has another meaning.
© Casa de Su Majestad el ReySeeing the King and Queen and their daughters wearing number 26, many automatically scanned the team's lineup. Their eyes landed on Borja Iglesias, who wears that number on his jersey. Some thought it was a show of support for the Celta de Vigo forward, a player who has become one of the World Cup's biggest stars despite having only played two minutes in the competition so far.
His connection with Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz has also been a hot topic; he met them personally after the actress sent him a WhatsApp message, and they've been seen enjoying several matches, becoming two of La Roja's good luck charms. But the Galician player isn't the reason they chose 26, either.
The reason that number appears on their jerseys is much simpler. 26 references to the year this World Cup is being held—a tournament which, for the first time, has taken place across three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The white jerseys they wore were a gift from the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The jerseys join the other national team gear they own and have worn on other occasions, like when they welcomed the Euro 2024 winners to Zarzuela Palace.
© Casa de Su Majestad el ReyWhat We Know About the Final: From the Performances to the Guests
Besides supporting the players at this incredibly important event, the Royal Family will also enjoy a one-of-a-kind show.
FIFA has organized a final ceremony in true Super Bowl style. Halftime has been extended to feature performances by Madonna, BTS, Laura Pausini, Robbie Williams, Justin Bieber, and Shakira, who will perform Dai Dai, the official World Cup anthem.
There will also be other surprises with stars like Tom Cruise, and it's expected that among the stadium's 82,500 seats will be world-famous fans, sports legends, and dignitaries.
© Carlos Alvarez
