Victor Munoz is due to compete in the 2026 World Cup final for Spain against England or Argentina.
The Spaniards booked their place in the showpiece on Tuesday after beating France 2-0, but Munoz was not involved.
Liverpool’s new signing is yet to play a single minute at the 2026 World Cup, but thanks to FIFA rules, he will now have to wait until at least August 10 to link up with Andoni Iraola’s squad.
How excited are you by Liverpool’s surprise signing of Victor Munoz?
And what do you think his role will be next season? Is he an immediate starter?
When will Victor Munoz and Alexis Mac Allister return to Liverpool training?
According to official guidelines set out by FIFA in 2025: “There is a consensus that there must be at least 72 hours of rest between matches, and that players should have a rest period/holiday of at least 21 days at the end of each season.”
With the World Cup final not taking place until July 19, that means Munoz will be on holiday until at least August 10.
If Argentina also make it to the final, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister will be away for the same amount of time.
But should they lose to England and have to play France in the World Cup third-place play-off on July 18, he could return on August 9 instead.
It is probably a slightly frustrating situation for Iraola, given that Munoz hasn’t played a single minute this summer and is unlikely to require as much rest.
But the new Liverpool signing could still make history this week.
Should Spain emerge victorious at the New York New Jersey Stadium, Munoz will become the first player to sign for Liverpool and win the World Cup without kicking a ball for the club in the same year.
He would also become the 11th Red to win international football’s biggest prize, with the last player to do so being Mac Allister in 2022, then Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina prior to that (Spain 2010).
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