Victor Munoz of Spain during the friendly match between Spain and Egypt played at RCDE Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Sergio Ruiz/PRESSINPHOTO)
Victor Munoz of Spain during the friendly match between Spain and Egypt played at RCDE Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Sergio Ruiz/PRESSINPHOTO)
Victor Munoz has not played for club or country since mid-May, but the new Liverpool winger has now been cleared to feature when Spain face Belgium.
Friday brings the next World Cup quarter-final as Spain take on Belgium, aiming to set up a last-four clash with France.
Munoz is yet to feature for Luis de la Fuente’s side having suffered a setback in his recovery from injury during training at the tournament, which has left him an unused substitute in five games.
His initial layoff began in mid-May, while still at Osasuna, but speaking at Spain’s training camp in Los Angeles, SPORT reporter Jordi Gil revealed he is expected to be involved against Belgium.
Victor Munoz of Spain (Photo by Sergio Ruiz/PRESSINPHOTO)
Victor Munoz of Spain (Photo by Sergio Ruiz/PRESSINPHOTO)
“We’ve seen that the whole squad is doing well,” Gil explained.
“Nico Williams has trained well with the rest of the team, as have Yeremy Pino, Victor Munoz and Laporte. Everyone is at full intensity.”
Asked whether any of those players would be available, he replied: “I think so.
“I think Victor Munoz, in particular, has been training with the team again for quite a long time now.”
The expectation is that Munoz will not come into starting contention but can instead hope to play his first minutes at the World Cup from the bench.
It provides De la Fuente with another threat in the final third, with the Spain manager already emphasising how valuable he sees Liverpool’s £34.5 million signing being.
“I’m sure we’ll see the Victor we know again. We’re working on it,” he told reporters after the 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia last month.
“Mark my words, Victor is going to be very important for us in this World Cup.”
When will Victor Munoz join Liverpool pre-season?
3E8C4BE Victor Munoz of CA Osasuna looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and Real Betis Balompie at Estadio El Sadar on April 12, 2026
3E8C4BE Victor Munoz of CA Osasuna looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and Real Betis Balompie at Estadio El Sadar on April 12, 2026
Munoz is clearly running out of time to make an impact, but could be particularly useful from the bench as Spain look to overcome Belgium and France on their way to the final.
While a player carrying an injury into the World Cup is far from ideal for Liverpool – not least a new signing who is yet to take part in a training session under Andoni Iraola – it could now allow him a useful run of games.
Liverpool will welcome Munoz to the squad following a post-tournament break, which may see him not link up with his new team-mates until closer to the start of the Premier League campaign.
If Spain reach the World Cup final, a three-week holiday – as is usual – would see the 22-year-old then report back around August 10.
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CARDIFF, WALES - Saturday, June 11, 2022: Wales' Neco Williams sings the national anthem before the UEFA Nations League Group A4 game between Wales and Belgium at the Cardiff City Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)