Jubilant soccer fans in Argentina have welcomed the national squad -- now the world champions -- back from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The plane carrying the squad arrived in Buenos Aires at around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, local time.

Captain Lionel Messi stepped off the plane first, carrying the trophy. The team was greeted by soccer officials and others at the airport as well as fans on the streets outside.

The players waved happily to the cheering fans from a double-decker bus.

The team was scheduled to parade through central Buenos Aires later on Tuesday, likely drawing a huge crowd.

Local media reported that after the final game, more than one million people turned out to celebrate in the central main street in the capital.

Argentina won the title for the first time in 36 years, and for the third time in total, after defeating France in the final on Sunday.