The World Cup trophy will remain in Asturias throughout the weekend before travelling to León on Monday as part of the Kings of the World exhibition.

🗣️ “What has united our country more than anything else is the success of the [Spain national team]@SeFutbol.”

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RFEF President Rafael Louzán joined political, social and sporting leaders this Saturday for the official reception of the World Cup trophy at the Palacio de los Condes de Toreno, the headquarters of the Government of the Principality of Asturias in Oviedo. The event took place during the weekend when Spain are visiting the Asturian capital to face Czechia in the UEFA Nations League group stage.

At the official reception, President Louzán was joined by José Ramón Cuetos Lobo, president of the Royal Football Federation of the Principality of Asturias; Oviedo Mayor Alfredo Canteli Fernández; and Vice-President of the Government of the Principality of Asturias Gimena Llamedo González.

The event was also attended by a wide range of local, regional and national authorities, presidents of regional football federations, members of the RFEF Board, members of the Board of the Royal Football Federation of the Principality of Asturias, and representatives of Asturias’ leading football clubs.

In his address, the RFEF president thanked all the authorities “for helping and supporting us along this journey and making it possible for Spain to play Czechia. It had been eleven years since the national team last played in Oviedo, and now we are repaying that debt of gratitude by returning just as the most important club in this city celebrates its centenary.”

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the World Cup,” Louzán continued. “Everyone who supported us throughout the tournament should be able to see up close the reward for the success achieved in the United States. This is what has united this country more than anything else, and it belongs to all of us.”

For Oviedo Mayor Alfredo Canteli, the world champions’ trophy represents “a collective symbol”, and he celebrated the fact that “the capital of Asturias has become the venue for a Spain match in such an important year, in which we are European City of Sport.”

The joint work of the different administrations was a decisive factor in organising Saturday’s Spain-Czechia match. For RFFPA President José Ramón Cuetos Lobo, this demonstrates that “teamwork prevails, and in Asturias we form a great line-up that has enabled us all to reach an agreement so that this great match can take place and both the trophy and the team belonging to everyone can be here in the Principality.”

Regional Vice-President Gimena Llamedo also highlighted the occasion, stressing that “few things can generate as much excitement as winning the World Cup. It represents talent, effort and the pride of sharing in the same joy. Asturias is also part of that, just as it is whenever the national team celebrates a success. Thank you to the Royal Spanish Football Federation for bringing the national team back to this land.”

Beyond Saturday’s UEFA Nations League match, Oviedo is also hosting the travelling Kings of the World exhibition, featuring some of the most memorable items from the recent World Cup. This Sunday, the World Cup trophy will travel to El Molinón-Enrique Castro Quini Stadium in Gijón, where Spain supporters will be able to visit the exhibition throughout the morning before the trophy continues on to León, where it will form part of the Kings of the World exhibition on Monday and Tuesday next week.