Victor Munoz is a World Cup champion. The 23-year-old Spanish winger, who completed a €40 million move to Liverpool just weeks before the tournament kicked off, was part of the Spain squad that defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
He didn’t play a single minute. And honestly, that might be the most interesting part of this story.
A whirlwind month for a 23-year-old
On June 17, 2026, Liverpool activated Munoz’s release clause at CA Osasuna, paying €40 million to hijack a deal that Newcastle United thought was theirs. Eight days earlier, on May 25, Spain had named Munoz to their 26-man World Cup squad, just a few months after his senior international debut in March 2026.
Spain’s path through the tournament was convincing. They dispatched France 2-0 in the semi-finals before grinding out a 1-0 victory over Argentina in extra time in the final, held around July 19. Munoz was an unused substitute throughout the tournament.
