Injury has prevented Liverpool new boy Victor Munoz from appearing at the 2026 World Cup so far
CHATTANOOGA, UNITED STATES - JUNE 29: Victor Munoz of Spain during the Training and Press Conference Spain at the The Baylor School on June 29, 2026 in Chattanooga United States (Photo by Pablo Garcia/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Liverpool new signing Victor Munoz trains with the Spain squad at the The Baylor School on June 29, 2026 in Chattanooga(Image: Pablo Garcia/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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Liverpool have just three players remaining at the World Cup. Florian Wirtz, with Germany, and Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo, with the Netherlands, suffered penalty shoot-out defeats in the round of 32 to Paraguay and Morocco respectively, before Alexander Isak and Sweden were swept aside 3-0 by France.
But Alisson Becker has made it through to the last 16 with Brazil and Alexis Mac Allister is expected to join his Liverpool team-mate there given holders Argentina will be overwhelming favourites to overcome Cape Verde on Friday.
The other Reds player at the World Cup is their sole signing of the summer so far, Victor Munoz.
However, supporters haven't been able to get a glimpse of the new £34.5m arrival from Osasuna given the winger was ruled out of Spain's Group H campaign through injury.
Spain topped the group after beating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay and surprisingly being held to a draw by Cape Verde, who will be looking to pull off an even bigger shock later this week.
The European champions will now take on Austria tomorrow (Thursday) for a place in the last 16 - and Munoz could be available.
The 22-year-old has trained with the Spain squad in Chattanooga as they build up to the Los Angeles showdown.
It is highly unlikely Munoz will start against Austria given he is only just back in full training, but his return will be a huge boost to manager Luis de la Fuente, whose only option on the wings is Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal after Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino sustained injuries against Uruguay.
Before that match, Munoz opened up on his frustrations at being denied his first-ever appearance at a World Cup and the importance of speaking to Spain national team psychologist Javier Lopez Vallejo.
He said: "We were carrying it (the injury), but I noticed a discomfort and we are trying to resume the process to be on the field as soon as possible.
"They have been very complicated moments because this is the dream of a child and seeing that it can be twisted by an injury annoys you a lot.
"Both abroad and here with Javi I have my talks. It helps me a lot, it helps me to see another perspective of everything that happens here. It's a pleasure to have him.
"My team-mates have been a fundamental pillar for me to be eager every day. [The World Cup] is the only thing I think about. It's a dream and I want to be on the pitch as soon as possible."
Munoz became the first signing of the Andoni Iraola earlier this month when Liverpool triggered his £34.5m release clause with Osasuna to pip Premier League rivals Newcastle United to his signature.
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