Spain will have the opportunity to add a second star to their badge tonight as they meet Argentina in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Spanish contingent has been quite successful in this World Cup so far, thanks in part to the large Barcelona presence, with players like Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal playing key roles.

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One player who hasn’t been involved at all, however, is Joan Garcia. The goalkeeper has served as backup to the excellent Unai Simon throughout the tournament and looks set to do so once again in the final.

Joan Garcia Could Match Valdes’ Milestone

Garcia has been a benchwarmer at Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Joan Garcia is on the verge of replicating an unusual feat achieved by Barcelona legend Victor Valdes 16 years ago.

Should Spain triumph tonight, Joan Garcia would become a world champion despite not having played a single minute at the tournament.

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It is a scenario that closely mirrors Valdes’ experience at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where the Catalan goalkeeper was the only Barcelona player in Vicente del Bosque’s squad not to feature.

Back then, Valdes spent the entire tournament in the shadow of Iker Casillas, whose iconic save from Arjen Robben in the final against the Netherlands helped Spain to their first ever world title.

Brilliant Seasons Overlooked

Joan Garcia has not been able to start ahead of Unai Simon. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The parallels between the two goalkeepers extend beyond simply reaching a final without playing.

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Much like Valdes in 2010, Joan Garcia arrives at this World Cup on the back of a stunning individual campaign.

The Sallent-born stopper won the Zamora Trophy, awarded to the goalkeeper with the fewest goals conceded in LaLiga, while also lifting the league title and Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona.

Valdes, too, had enjoyed an outstanding season in 2010, claiming both the league title and his second consecutive Zamora Trophy, yet neither that nor Joan Garcia’s heroics this year proved enough to displace the established number one.

In Joan Garcia’s case, Unai Simon has been simply immovable. The Athletic Club goalkeeper has been in imperious form for years and even set a record for the most consecutive minutes without conceding in World Cup history during this tournament.