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2026 World Cup Golden Glove Odds and Betting Predictions for Best Goalkeeper

by Spencer Toth - 6/2/2026

World Cup Golden Glove odds and betting predictions Alisson Becker Brazil

The Golden Glove is awarded the best goalkeeper of the World Cup tournament and is the most prestigious award a goalkeeper can win. Having started in 1994 as the Lev Yashin award, the Golden Glove has been awarded on eight occasions in the past. Five of the eight winners were on the winning side of the World Cup Final, with 2002 winner Oliver Kahn being on the losing side of the Final. Kahn also went on to win the Golden Ball award as the most outstanding player in any position, and is the only goalkeeper to win both awards in the same year. 

While the Golden Glove award is often awarded to a goalkeeper on one of the World Cup favorites, often the winning side, this award is still as wide open as it comes, as a few legendary performances that fall short of the ultimate prize could still be enough to win this award. Making a deep tournament run is necessary, so it is natural to see the best goalkeepers on the best national teams among the favorites. Seven goalies enter the tournament with +700 odds or shorter, so let’s take a look at which frontrunners have value and if there are any longshots worth a sprinkle. 

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Emiliano Martinez, Argentina: +400

Emiliano Martinez is the outright favorite to win the Golden Glove, and that is no surprise. Martinez was a World Cup hero in 2022 with his heroics in the World Cup Final, and has emerged as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet. There are plenty of reasons to like him to win, but it is hard to justify a bet at this price. There are 48 nations, all with goalkeepers capable of pulling off a few memorable saves. Argentina is a step behind the other World Cup favorites in terms of outfield talent, and they are far from guaranteed to go on a deep World Cup run. There are too many variables that have to go right for Martinez to win this award, and we just can’t get behind him at short +400 odds. 

Verdict: Pass

Unai Simon, Spain: +450

Spain is the World Cup favorite at +450 odds to win outright, and Unai Simon has the same number attached to a Golden Glove prize. Spain is incredibly deep both in the outfield and in goal, which is what makes this price even more surprising. There is nothing wrong with Unai Simon, but the reality is he isn’t the best Spanish goalkeeper, and probably isn’t even deserving of the backup role either. Manager Luis de la Fuente continues to put his trust in Unai Simon despite both David Raya and Joan Garcia having better domestic seasons. Raya won the Golden Glove in the Premier League this season with Arsenal, while Garcia won the La Liga Golden Glove with Barcelona. Meanwhile, Simon languished in 12th place in La Liga, allowing 54 goals this year. If Spain makes a deep tournament run, it won’t be thanks to Simon’s heroics in goal, and there is no guarantee that he even plays every match this summer. If Martinez is a pass due to value, this is the hardest pass on the list at +450. 

Verdict: Hard Pass

Alisson Becker, Brazil: +500

Alisson Becker has 76 international caps under his belt, having allowed only 34 goals in that span. The longtime Liverpool goalkeeper was kept out of the squad due to a hamstring injury to close out the domestic season, but he is 100% healthy for the World Cup. With that in mind, this is a solid price on Alisson to claim the Golden Glove. Brazil has no shortage of attacking talent to make a deep run, and center back partners Gabriel and Marquinhos are two of the best defenders in the world. Just like every World Cup, all eyes will be on Brazil as the most successful nation of all time, and Alisson will get plenty of attention if he makes stops and gets clean sheets. There is always the concern that he re-aggravates his injury, but if you are looking to tail a favorite, Alisson is the way to go. 

Verdict: Some Value at +500

Ederson, Brazil: +600

Ederson is serving as Alisson’s backup. However, unless Alisson gets injured, I don’t foresee any changes in goal. That makes this +600 price hard to justify. Maybe the books are reducing their risk with increased juice on both Brazilian goalkeepers, as this price only makes sense if Ederson is confirmed to be the starter. Otherwise, this is far too short for a backup. Alisson has earned his spot as the number one goalkeeper for Brazil, and nothing Ederson has done in the Saudi League will have changed the manager’s mind. Scoop up +600 if Alisson gets hurt again before the tournament; otherwise, this is a pass. 

Verdict: Pass

Mike Maignan, France: +600

Sometimes, a long list of attacking talents like France has will outshine any goalkeeping performances. After all, if France wins a game 4-0, the headline will be about who scored the goals, not Maignan keeping a clean sheet. Even with that in mind, this is a price that is bursting with value. Maignan had an excellent domestic campaign, and there isn’t much competition for him in the French goal. In terms of recent results, France has made the World Cup Finals in back-to-back tournaments and has the second-shortest odds to win the World Cup this year. Maignan isn’t a household name due to his lack of experience in the UEFA Champions League, but he is certainly among the best on the international stage. If France can rack up clean sheets, which is certainly possible, Maignan will be in the running for the Golden Glove award. 

Verdict: Value at +600

David Raya, Spain: +700

For most people, David Raya is the best Spanish goalkeeper and potentially the best goalkeeper in the world. His incredible saves for Arsenal are a big reason why they won the Premier League, but he is unlikely to have the chance to show off his skills at the World Cup. As mentioned, Unai Simon is the frontrunner to take the starting job in the Spanish goal, and Raya will not win this award from the bench. If Raya were starting, this is a hammer at +700. Unfortunately, that is unlikely to be the case, making this a pass.

Verdict: Pass

Jordan Pickford, England: +700

Jordan Pickford is the English starter, and if the Three Lions make a deep World Cup run, this is a great price to grab him to win the Golden Glove. Pickford has made heroic saves for England in the past. And after years of struggling backlines, it appears as though England has their best defensive unit yet. Once you couple that with strong attackers, including Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane, England looks poised to go on a run deep enough to let Pickford shine. Shot-stopping is the most important attribute for Golden Glove winners, as a few highlight reel saves can sway voters into giving them the nod. Even if England falls short of the World Cup trophy, Pickford will be in the running for this award all tournament long and is unlikely to have longer odds than +700 in the future. 

Verdict: Value at +700

Longshots to Sprinkle:

Bart Verbruggen, Netherlands: +2000

Bart Verbruggen is the first-choice keeper for the Netherlands, and the 23-year-old is looking to announce himself on the international stage. He had an excellent season for Brighton, bringing the Seagulls to European qualification for the second time in club history. The Netherlands is a very talented side with experienced defenders, and a few clean sheets for the Dutch will see this price get slashed. His inexperience, combined with a lack of media attention, makes Verbruggen a great buy at +2000. 

Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico: +8000

Guillermo Ochoa joins Messi and Ronaldo in a record-breaking sixth World Cup, and a Golden Glove would be the fairytale ending to his World Cup career. Ochoa was initially not expected to start, but an injury to assumed starter Luis Malagon has opened the door for history. As one of the co-hosts, Mexico will get no shortage of media attention. Ochoa has put together legendary World Cup performances in the past, but Mexico hasn’t made a deep enough run for him to realistically win this award. They now have their best chance yet, and Ochoa’s previous World Cup showings could tilt the scales in his favor if the race is close. Either way, you shouldn’t need too much convincing to take a stab at +8000. 

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