The favourites and outsiders to win the 2026 World Cup Golden Glove
The World Cup Golden Glove isn’t based solely on clean sheets or fewest goals conceded, but also about defining moments in the latter stages of the competition
The Golden Glove is awarded to the World Cupās best goalkeeper but, unlike the Golden Boot, which is determined purely by goals scored, FIFA’s Technical Study Group selects the keeper they believe has been the tournament’s outstanding performer.
This mean that clean sheets are definitely important, but so too are decisive saves, leadership, distribution and performances in the biggest matches, as well as the goalkeeperās importance to the team.
Argentina’s Emiliano MartĆnez enters the tournament as the favourite after winning the award in 2022, where he played a key role in his country’s triumph. The Aston Villa stopper has a superb record in international football, and particularly in crucial moments of matches combined with his renowned reputation in penalty shootouts.
Unai SimĆ³n looks set to keep his place in goal for Spain despite a shaky season with Athletic Club, and despite pressure from David Raya and Joan Garcia who head into the tournament on the back of superb seasons with Arsenal and FC Barcelona respectively.
Elsewhere, Brazil’s Alisson Becker and France’s Mike Maignan are among the leading contenders due to their individual quality combined with the solid defences in front of them. Jordan Pickford has been a reliable figure for England at major tournaments over the years, and will also likely be in the mix for the prize come the end of the tournament.
Below are the current ten favourites to land the award, as well as a few outsiders that we are predicting to potentially cause a surprise.
World Cup 2026 Golden Glove odds
- Emiliano MartĆnez (Argentina) – 4/1
- Unai SimĆ³n (Spain) – 9/2
- Alisson Becker (Brazil) – 5/1
- Mike Maignan (France) – 6/1
- Jordan Pickford (England) – 7/1
- David Raya (Spain) – 7/1
- Diogo Costa (Portugal) – 10/1
- Manuel Neuer (Germany) – 16/1
- Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) – 20/1
- Bart Verbruggen (Netherlands) – 20/1
Meanwhile, there are a few goalkeepers further down the market who could offer interesting value for punters. For example, if Mexico manage to build momentum in front of their home support and progress deep into the tournament, RaĆŗl Rangel (50/1) could become one of the surprise names in the race for the prize.
With Morocco and Norway considered dark horses in the tournament, Yassine Bounou (80/1) and Orjan Nyland (33/1) could also be potential contenders.
Past World Cup Golden Glove winners
Since the award was introduced in its current form in 1994, some of the game’s greatest goalkeepers have claimed the honour, often playing pivotal roles in their nation’s success.
This century’s winners include some of the most iconic names ever to wear the gloves. Oliver Kahn won the award in 2002 after leading Germany to the final, despite falling short against Brazil. He was followed by Gianluigi Buffon in 2006, whose outstanding performances helped Italy lift the World Cup, while Iker Casillas earned the prize in 2010 after captaining Spain to their first world title. Four years later, Manuel Neuer redefined the role of the modern goalkeeper as Germany triumphed in Brazil.
More recently, Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove in 2018 after helping Belgium secure a third-place finish, becoming the first winner since Kahn not to reach the final. In 2022, Emiliano MartĆnez claimed the award following a series of decisive saves throughout Argentina’s victorious tournament, including his dramatic penalty shootout heroics against the Netherlands and France.
