The term "world champion" is tossed around casually in the United States. Win a league championship, slap a global label on it, cue Queen's rock-and-roll anthem.
There are no such overstatements made about the delegation clad in red and gold polos circulating at the posh Mandarin Oriental hotel this week.
The reigning world champion (Spain) from the world's most popular sport (soccer) preparing for the planet's most-watched competition (the World Cup) has come to Washington for final preparations ahead of its Brazilian arrival Monday.
As the Spanish federation is billing it, D.C. is the "Last Stop."
Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport welcomed the Iberia Airlines flight from Madrid on Monday evening with arcing streams of water from fire trucks. Fans gathered outside the hotel in the rain Tuesday, seeking a glimpse or an autograph.
Dozens of reporters from overseas crowded into a small conference room for an interview session with two players who probably won't start. Several young D.C. United players took a break from daily activities to watch the Spaniards practice inside RFK Stadium on Tuesday morning.
With the start of the World Cup seven days away, La Roja is practicing here for four days before playing El Salvador in a friendly Saturday at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
Almost half of the 32-team tournament field is using the United States as a way station before arriving at soccer's samba celebration.
England is based in Miami, and Portugal at the New York Jets' practice facility. Mexico is playing three tuneups in the States, Honduras began a three-game slate at RFK last week and Bosnia, a World Cup debutant, satisfied the large Bosnian community in St. Louis.
They have come to acclimate to the heat and humidity that awaits in some Brazilian venues, to escape mounting public pressure at home and to collect fees from game promoters.
The Washington Redskins worked with MLS's marketing arm (SUM) and United to stage a doubleheader: Spain vs. El Salvador at 4 p.m. and United's regular season match against the Columbus Crew at 6:30.
Almost 50,000 tickets have been sold.
Spain is seeking to continue one of the greatest runs of success in the sport's fabled history: two European championships (2008 and '12) and a World Cup title (2010) over five extraordinary summers.
No country had ever won back-to-back Euro trophies before and none has won consecutive world crowns since Pele inspired Brazil in 1958 and '62.
"We are the current champions and we'll probably have more eyes on us in Brazil," veteran midfielder Xabi Alonso said in an interview following Spain's formal media event at the team hotel.
"It is a massive challenge, but we have to be up to the challenge."
Alonso is among 16 holdovers from the 2010 squad that lost its group opener to Switzerland before fully implementing its "tiki-taka" style of quick passes, flowing movement and sustained possession. La Roja culminated a month in South Africa with a 1-0 extra-time victory over the roughhousing Netherlands.
The finalists will get reacquainted on the second day of this World Cup, a June 13 heavyweight encounter in Salvador. Spain will also face Chile and Australia in Group B.
The question surrounding Spain is not the quality of personnel; in the recently completed seasons, 14 of 23 players were employed by either Champions League winner Real Madrid, La Liga champion Atletico Madrid or perennial titan Barcelona. Six others competed in the English Premier League, two in Italy's Serie A and one for German Bundesliga winner Bayern Munich.
The issue is whether La Roja has collectively reached its pinnacle and is now approaching a downward trajectory. Alonso, orchestrators Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez and forwards David Villa and Fernando Torres are in their 30s.
"This time in Washington is very important because, for all of us, it was a very intense [club] season," said Alonso, a member of the Real Madrid team that defeated Atletico in the European final less than two weeks ago.
"We were fighting for big things with our clubs. Looking ahead to the World Cup, we need some time to be together, to live together, to train together and build the idea of focusing on the target. That hunger, emotion and motivation needs to be there because if the mind is ready, the legs will follow."
One set of legs is heading to MLS next year: Villa, Spain's all-time leading scorer, this week signed with New York City FC, an expansion club that will play at Yankee Stadium for at least three years.
"I tried to convince him to stay one more year with me [at Atletico], but he decided to move forward with this," defender Juanfran said through an interpreter.
"I am happy for him. Hopefully he will become one of the best players in the league, and this is a great opportunity for Spanish players to play here."
Alonso, 32, has not ruled out a move to MLS at some point.
"The end is closer than the beginning for me, so probably I will consider it," said Alonso, who speaks English fluently after experiences in Ireland (as a teenage exchange student) and England (five seasons with Liverpool).
"I open the door to MLS because it is really attractive. It's growing, it's improving, things are being done better, the level is better. For everyone who loves football, it's great that such a big country is becoming more and more important in the sport."
The Washington Post
Fri Jun 06 2014
Juanfran of the Spanish national soccer team is photographed at a well-attended news conference Tuesday during Spain's pre-World Cup stay in Washington. Illustrates SOC-SPAIN (category s), by Steven Goff é 2014, The Washington Post.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.