When does Argentina fly back home for celebration parade? Tracking La Albiceleste's return after World Cup triumph

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David Suggs
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Obelisco Argentina Buenos Aires
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Bedlam descended on Buenos Aires, Argentina, when its beloved men's soccer team captured the World Cup in Qatar.

It was a barnburner of a match against France, one teeming with thrills and spills. But ultimately, in the battle of the two best players in the world, it was Argentina's Lionel Messi who came out on top.

The scenes across the mountainous country were similarly dramatic. Streaks of blue and white lined the roads as folks huddled around giant television screens to follow all the action as it unfolded from Lusail Stadium.

It was an environment eerily similar to that of 1986, when La Albiceleste last captured World Cup glory. That team was led by a mercurial No. 10 as well, one who captivated the nation's audience with his glitz and glamor on the ball.

Diego Maradona and Co. received a heroes' welcome when they returned home following the '86 victory. Expect Messi's men to receive a similar sort of coronation.

LIVE: All the updates from Argentina's victory parade on December 20

Here's what you need to know about the World Cup celebrations across Argentina.

When does the Argentina team return home after the World Cup?

The Argentina traveling party is expected to arrive in Buenos Aires between 2 and 3 a.m. local time (12 a.m.-1 a.m. ET) on Tuesday, December 20. The flight from Doha to Buenos Aires by private charter will take approximately 21 hours, with a stop in Rome for refueling.

According to Flight Radar, the second leg of the trip was delayed by around two hours meaning Argentina's arrival home will be later than originally expected. 

According to Diego Ruscitti, journalist of Todo Noticias, there is also the possibility that the plane will land at Aeroparque, in the City of Buenos Aires instead of the main Ezeiza International Airport.

It is worth mentioning that after Argentina won the Copa América title in 2021, there was no official reception for the players, but that tournament held a year and a half ago took place in a different context, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As for this team? The Casa Rosada, an Argentine icon next to the Obelisco de Buenos Aires, awaits them. 

Argentinian president Alberto Fernandez opted against traveling to Qatar to attend the match. He instead stayed at Casa Rosada — the Argentine president's official residence — allowing him to greet the public on Monday.

MORE: Andres Cantor's emotional World Cup call will give you chills

When is Argentina's World Cup celebration?

The official celebration of Argentina's World Cup title winners will begin Tuesday at noon local time (10 a.m. ET) at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, the team announced. Further details are still to come. 

MORE: When is the next World Cup?

How did Argentina react to winning the World Cup?

If you thought those of an Argentinian persuasion were losing their minds at Lusail Stadium, the scenes from Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mar del Plata and countless other cities were simply astounding.

Thousands packed around the Obelisco de Buenos Aires, one of the most iconic landmarks in Argentina, singing, dancing, crying and cheering their way through 120 minutes of anxiety. When Gonzalo Montiel's penalty hit the back of the net, Buenos Aires — Argentina's capital city — burst into life.

DeCOURCY: Messi gets his World Cup, with a major hand from his teammates

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David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News.