Unai Simón named best goalkeeper of 2026 World Cup

Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón has been named the best goalkeeper of the 2026 World Cup, earning the Golden Glove award. His exceptional performance was crucial in leading Spain to their second world title.

Simón's contribution was pivotal in Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He entered the final as a strong contender for the award, following his standout performance in the semi-final where Spain defeated France 2-0. His clean sheet in the final solidified his claim, surpassing his main competitor, French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, and Argentinian counterpart Emiliano Martínez.

Throughout the tournament, Simón maintained an outstanding record, conceding only one goal in eight matches and achieving seven clean sheets. This tally set a new World Cup record for the most clean sheets in a single edition. Spain as a team also set a record, finishing the tournament with seven shutouts.

Simón's remarkable streak of not conceding a goal extended to 649 minutes, a new all-time record for a goalkeeper in World Cup finals. This historic run was halted during the quarter-final match against Belgium, which Spain won 2-1. His achievements underscore his significant role in Spain's championship campaign.