Golden Glove Odds For World Cup 2026: Our Predictions for Best Goalkeeper Award

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway in North America, and the action has already been thrilling. Mexico and United States have eased to wins, while Canada picked up their first World Cup point. What will unfold over the next five weeks?

Goalkeepers will have a huge say in the 2026 World Cup, and you can bet on the World Cup Golden Glove winner throughout the tournament. Check out the latest odds and tips below.

World Cup Golden Glove Odds

The Golden Glove has been around since the 1994 World Cup in the USA. This award is handed out to the best goalkeeper of the tournament. The likes of Fabien Barthez, Oliver Kahn, and Iker Casillas have been World Cup Golden Glove winners.

Odds taken at PricedUp at 10:50 on 13 June

Emiliano Martinez (Argentina) - 4/1

Emiliano Martinez was Argentina’s World Cup hero four years ago, winning the Golden Glove and playing a huge part in his nation’s success. He has had a fine season with Aston Villa and is arguably the best stopper in the world right now. Martinez is the 4/1 favourite to win the award this year.

Unai Simon (Spain) - 9/2

Unai Simon is set to win the race for Spain’s No. 1 jersey this summer, but La Roja are blessed with several top options in goal. If Simon does get the nod, he will undoubtedly be a big player for Spain as they hunt down a second World Cup crown.

Alisson (Brazil) - 5/1

Alisson and Ederson are set to battle for Brazil’s goalkeeper position during the World Cup, though Liverpool’s Alisson is expected to win the race. Alisson is one of the best stoppers in the world and could be one to watch in North America. Can he help the Brazilians win their first World Cup in a quarter of a century?

Mike Maignan (France) - 6/1

Mike Maignan will be France’s goalkeeper in the World Cup, and the AC Milan No. 1 is more than capable of winning the World Cup Golden Glove this summer. Maignan has made the goalkeeper position his own, racking up almost 40 senior appearances since debuting in 2020.

Jordan Pickford (England) - 7/1

Jordan Pickford has been a mainstay in the England net since the 2018 World Cup. He may be erratic at times, but his ability between the sticks can never be questioned. As England seek a first World Cup triumph since 1966, will Pickford be in the running for the Golden Glove in 2026?

Bart Verbruggen (Netherlands) - 20/1

Bart Verbruggen has had an excellent season in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion, helping the Seagulls reach Europe. He is now ready to glove up for his national side in the 2026 World Cup, and odds of 20/1 for Verbruggen to win the Golden Glove could be too good to turn down.

Top Bookmakers for World Cup Golden Glove Betting Online

Pros and cons of making Golden Glove predictions

To help you decide if you want to make a World Cup Golden Glove wager, here are the main pros and cons associated with betting on the award:

Pros & Cons

• Excellent market value
• Enhance your enjoyment of the World Cup
• Use your football knowledge to make predictions

• Keepers can suffer injuries or loss of form

A brief guide to the World Cup Golden Glove Award

First introduced in 1994 (known as the Lev Yashin Award back then), the Golden Glove Award is presented to the best goalkeeper at each World Cup tournament. Whilst many domestic Golden Glove awards are based on the number of clean sheets achieved by goalkeepers, the World Cup version of the award also takes into account factors such as the number of saves they make, their contribution to team success, their command of the penalty area, and their performances in penalty shootouts. Voting for the honour is undertaken by the FIFA Technical Study Group and takes place immediately after the World Cup final.

Who are the previous winners of the Golden Glove?

There have been eight previous winners of the Golden Glove:

Six quick facts to help you make your Golden Glove predictions

As well as being an interesting recap of the history of the World Cup Golden Glove, the above table also contains a few fascinating insights that can help you make your 2026 World Cup Golden Glove prediction.

1. Five of the eight Golden Glove winners played for that year’s World Cup winners.
2. Belgium is the only country with two Golden Glove winners.
3. Emiliano Martínez in 2022 is the only non-European winner of the Golden Glove.
4. No goalkeeper has won two Golden Glove awards.
5. The last seven Golden Glove winners have played for a team that has reached the semi-final of the tournament.
6. The last seven winners of the award have also tallied the most (or joint most) clean sheets during the tournament.

What to look for when making your Golden Glove predictions

When assessing the potential Golden Glove winners, there are an awful lot of considerations you need to make. Here are three of the most important factors you need to assess:

Likelihood of tournament success

Whilst the best goalkeeper at the World Cup may be from a side that goes out in the group stages, there is a very strong likelihood that the Golden Glove winner will come from a team that makes a deep run in the tournament. Before placing your Golden Glove wager, look at the groups and potential knockout brackets - which teams do you predict to make at least the semi-finals? There’s a high chance that the Golden Glove winner will come from one of those nations.

Defensive strength

Whilst the Golden Glove is given to a goalkeeper, in many ways, it is a verdict on the overall defensive strength of a team. The majority of Golden Glove winners have played behind elite-level defences, so they have not had to face a huge number of big chances. So don’t just look at the keepers themselves when deciding who to back for the Golden Glove; also take into account the quality of the personnel playing in front of them.

Injuries and form

A lot can happen in the buildup to a World Cup. Goalkeepers can pick up injuries or experience significant drop-offs in form. Because of these potential issues, you should leave it until the last possible moment before playing your Golden Glove bet. Make sure you select a goalkeeper who is injury-free and enjoying a strong run of form.

How to get the best value from your Golden Glove bets

After weighing up the options and making your pick, your next task is to get the very best value for your Golden Glove selection. Here are two ways of doing exactly that:

1. Compare the odds

   As is the case with World Cup Golden Boot Odds, Golden Glove odds can vary significantly at different betting sites. As such, it is a good idea to open accounts on sites in the run-up to the World Cup. Having accounts at multiple World Cup sportsbooks will enable you to compare the prices at each site, then use the sportsbook offering the longest odds for your chosen keeper.

2. Look for betting bonuses

   Whether you’re evaluating the Golden Glove contenders, assessing the World Cup Young Player of the Year odds, or checking out any of the other World Cup markets, the best way to maximise the value of your bet is by using a bonus offer, such as a free bet or a risk-free wager. If you are signing up at a new sportsbook, make sure you use our banners when accessing the site to open your account. Doing that will automatically opt you in for the brand’s best new player bonus.

Our verdict on the World Cup Golden Glove

This is a tricky award to vote for, as not only are there many excellent goalkeepers travelling to the World Cup, but the voting criteria mean that the award is fairly subjective, so it can be hard to predict exactly what the judges will be looking for. That being said, the Golden Glove market can offer exceptional value. This can help you make wise betting decisions in the long run and possibly make the best out of your wagers.

Of the main contenders, we really like the look of Unai Simon, especially given the fact that he will be in goal for the pre-tournament favourites. Meanwhile, if you want to look at a longer odds option, Diogo Costa merits some serious consideration, especially given the immense star power in the Portugal squad. Whoever you decide to back for the Golden Glove, make sure you gamble responsibly and remember to use our exclusive banners when joining any new betting sites.

World Cup Golden Glove Odds: FAQs