THE KEEPER'S JOURNAL
Goalkeeper history, glove technology, training, and the science of grip.
Orlando Gill — Paraguay's No. 1 at the 2026 World Cup
Antony Silva retired in 2024 and was not in Paraguay's World Cup squad. Orlando Gill started every match, saved two penalties to knock Germany out, and took La Albirroja to the round of 16.
Patrick Sequeira — Costa Rica's No. 1 at the 2026 World Cup
Patrick Sequeira started Costa Rica's 2026 World Cup after Keylor Navas. Costa Rica beat Scotland 1–0 in the group and lost 0–2 to Belgium in the round of 32.
Predrag Rajković — Serbia's No. 1 at the 2026 World Cup
Predrag Rajković started Serbia's 2026 World Cup. Serbia beat Australia 1–0, got through the group, and lost 1–2 to Switzerland in the round of 32.
Saad Al-Sheeb — Qatar's No. 1 at the 2026 World Cup
Saad Al-Sheeb started Qatar's 2026 World Cup as visitors, not hosts. Qatar beat Panama 1–0 in the group and lost 0–2 to Spain in the round of 32.
Sergio Rochet — Uruguay's 2022 Starter, and Muslera's 2026
Sergio Rochet started every match for Uruguay at Qatar 2022. In 2026 Fernando Muslera had the gloves. Rochet came on at half-time in Guadalajara after a Muslera error had given Spain the lead. Uruguay went out in the group.
Shuichi Gonda — Japan's No. 1 at the 2026 World Cup
Shuichi Gonda started Japan's 2026 World Cup. Japan beat Tunisia 2–1 in the group and lost 0–1 to Germany in the round of 16.
Stanley Nwabali — Nigeria's No. 1 at the 2026 World Cup
Stanley Nwabali started Nigeria's 2026 World Cup. Nigeria beat Scotland 2–0 in the group and lost 1–2 to Portugal in the round of 16.
Thibaut Courtois — Belgium's No. 1 at the 2026 World Cup
Thibaut Courtois started Belgium's 2026 World Cup. Belgium reached the quarterfinal, scored the only goal Unai Simón conceded all tournament, and lost 1–2 to Spain.
Unai Simón — Spain's Golden Glove at the 2026 World Cup
Unai Simón started Spain's 2026 World Cup. Spain won the tournament. He kept seven clean sheets, conceded one goal — Charles De Ketelaere in the quarterfinal — and won the Golden Glove.