Victor Munoz gave Spain a sharper edge in May 2026. Luis de la Fuente used the World Cup squad announcement to point to the winger’s speed, intensity changes and tactical flexibility. That praise came as Spain moved into its latest roster phase with a player the coach says can alter matches from either side.
De la Fuente on Victor Munoz
“Ha sido un jugador que ha aparecido en LaLiga con una energía y un rendimiento fantástico. Nos aporta velocidad, cambio de intensidad, cambiar los ritmos del partido, nos da las dos bandas, incluso el interior... Es un futbolista con una ilusión, como los que llegan por primera vez. Sé que nos va a dar mucho en los partidos en los que contemos con él.”
That is the clearest marker of why Muñoz made the cut. De la Fuente did not frame him as a specialist in one narrow role. He described a player who can stretch a game, quicken it, and shift between the wings and the interior midfield lane when Spain needs a different shape.
Spain’s May 2026 squad
The timing matters because the comment landed inside Spain’s World Cup squad announcement in May 2026, not after a friendly or a club match. Muñoz was singled out as part of a broader roster reveal, and the coach tied his selection to what he has already shown in LaLiga: energy, a fantastic performance level, and the freshness of someone arriving for the first time.
Gavi also surfaced in the same squad announcement after learning he was on the World Cup list, with the source noting that he was emotional at the news. That puts Muñoz’s role in a larger context: Spain is not simply filling numbers, but weighing players who can affect tempo, width and attacking options when the tournament begins.
Muñoz’s role for Spain
For Muñoz, the practical takeaway is straightforward. He is being viewed as a multi-use attacker who can open space on both wings and still fit inside when the game asks for it. De la Fuente said he expects him to contribute a lot in the matches Spain use him in, which leaves the selection framed around impact rather than minutes alone.
Spain now carries that assessment into the World Cup roster buildup. Muñoz’s place in the group is backed by the coach’s view that his pace and versatility can change the rhythm of a match, and that gives him a specific job whenever he is called on.
