World Cup 2026 Golden Glove Predictions: Unai Simon, Jordan Pickford and Emiliano Martinez's prospects assessed
James Hilsum
The FIFA World Cup Golden Glove is given to the best goalkeeper of the tournament and is one of the stand-out individual accolades.
Argentina shot-stopper Emiliano Martínez won the award at the 2022 finals after playing a starring role in their path to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago.
Martínez is among the leading contenders to win the prize again this year, while a host of other goalkeeping superstars are also in contention.
So, with the quarter-finals about to begin, we take a look at where some of the smartest value is to be had for those looking to pick a winner.
Unai Simón
The undisputed Spain No.1 has kept clean sheets in all five of his appearances at the finals so far, and has recently overtaken Mike Maignan as the favourite to win the prize.
Luis de la Fuente's side have arguably gone slightly under the radar in North America, but have completed their business efficiently after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since winning the trophy in 2010.
The 29-year-old has proven to be a formidable last line defence, after not conceding more than once in any of his last seven appearances for club and country since Athletic Bilbao were on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat to Espanyol on May 13.
Simón will also be hoping to win a third major trophy with La Roja after winning Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League in 2023.
Unai Simón to win the Golden Glove - odds @9/4
Mike Maignan - 5/2
The France shot-stopper is the 5/2 second favourite to take the Golden Glove away from Martínez after proving to be a safe pair of hands between the sticks for Didier Deschamps' side.
Maigan has kept three clean sheets in five appearances at this year's finals, including his last two, as Les Bleus overcame Sweden 3-0 and Paraguay 1-0 in the rounds of 32 and 16 respectively.
France are also purring very nicely across the pond, and are the 7/4 favourites to lift the trophy for a third time on July 19.
It therefore makes him a sensible favourite in this market, as the 31-year-old looks to add football's most coveted prize to his trophy cabinet.
However, France face arguably their toughest test so far with an intriguing clash against Morocco in the quarter-finals, and a surprise last-eight exit for Maignan would dramatically change the market.#
Mike Maignan to win the Golden Glove - odds @5/2
Emiliano Martínez
The 2022 winner represents a strong outsider bet to retain the award, as Argentina look to become only the third country to retain the World Cup after Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962.
The 33-year-old kept clean sheets in La Albiceleste's 3-0 and 2-0 group stage wins over Algeria and Austria in the group stages, but Lionel Scaloni’s side have made it hard work for themselves so far on their route to the quarter-finals.
He has since conceded five goals in their last three matches, with a 3-1 win over Jordan followed up by dramatic 3-2 victories over Cape Verde and Egypt in the last-16 and quarter-finals respectively.
Next up is a last-eight clash with Switzerland, whose attack has blown hot and cold so far this tournament.
A victory and another clean sheet could shorten the Aston Villa keeper’s odds, so it might be worth a punt now.
Emiliano Martínez to win the Golden Glove - odds @5/2
Jordan Pickford - 6/1
Jordan Pickford is England's established No.1 with 46 clean sheets in 89 caps for his country.
The Everton goalkeeper has kept two clean sheets in five appearances at this World Cup, coming in the goalless draw with Ghana and a 2-0 win over Panama.
England's defence has often been quite porous at times, as highlighted in the dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico in the last 16.
However, Pickford's propensity for shot-stopping heroics means this could be quite a generous price for a Three Lions team supposedly on the kinder side of the draw.
Should Thomas Tuchel's side progress past Norway on Saturday, it will be interesting to see if Pickford's odds shorten.
Jordan Pickford to win the Golden Glove - odds @6/1
Ørjan Nyland - 10/1
Ørjan Nyland has been one of Norway's stand-out performers in their run to a first-ever World Cup quarter-final.
The 35-year-old has been used in four of their five World Cup matches so far, after being rested in the 4-1 defeat to France with qualification for the knockout stages already assured.
Nyland is yet to keep a clean sheet at these finals, or in any of his previous seven appearances for club and country.
Although, he certainly took plenty of plaudits following a virtuoso display between the sticks against Brazil.
That will have caught the eyes of many club suitors across Europe, with Nyland now a free agent after leaving Sevilla at the expiration of contract this summer.
Ørjan Nyland to win the Golden Glove - odds @10/1
Outside contenders
Bono – 12/1
The Morocco goalkeeper is sixth in the standings with the Atlas Lions enjoying another fine World Cup.
Their quest to reach consecutive semi-finals faces a formidable obstacle though, with a quarter-final meeting against France next on the agenda on Thursday.
It would take a brave punter to put their money on the 35-year-old, as the North Africans look to topple the tournament favourites.
Bono to win the Golden Glove - odds @12/1
Thibaut Courtois - 14/1
Belgium's golden generation was showing signs of fading out after lacklustre group stage draws against Egypt and Iran, but Rudi Garcia's side have suddenly rediscovered their mojo.
Thibaut Courtois has been the undisputed No.1 between the sticks, as they prepare for a quarter-final clash against Spain on Friday.
He has kept just one clean sheet at the finals so far though, and with Belgium 21/5 outsiders to claim victory, Courtois justifies these long odds.
Thibaut Courtois to win the Golden Glove - odds @14/1
Gregor Kobel – 28/1
The Switzerland goalkeeper is the biggest outsider of them all heading into the quarter-finals, but has kept two clean sheets in his last two appearances.
A 2-0 last-16 win over Algeria was followed up by a goalless draw with Colombia in the quarter-finals, before Murat Yakin’s side prevailed on penalties.
Fortune would certainly favour the brave for those choosing to back Kobel, but should the Swiss manage to cause a shock against Argentina in the last eight, then his odds could shorten dramatically.
Gregor Kobel to win the Golden Glove - odds @28/1
Player | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
Unai Simón | Spain | 9/4 |
Mike Maignan | France | 5/2 |
Emiliano Martínez | Argentina | 9/2 |
Jordan Pickford | England | 6/1 |
Ørjan Nyland | Norway | 10/1 |
Bono | Morocco | 12/1 |
Thibaut Courtois | Belgium | 14/1 |
Gregor Kobel | Switzerland | 28/1 |
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