It’s fair to say the goalkeeping position has undergone the greatest change of any on the football pitch over the past decade.
The best stoppers on the planet can no longer rely solely on their handiwork. That’s because they are also required to use their feet. Quite frankly, it is simply not enough to just keep the ball out of the net in the modern game.
The goalkeeping role is one that now requires composure in possession and starting attack phases of play. They must also patrol their penalty area and deal with balls being launched into the box as teams adopt a more direct approach. An all-round approach is a must.
One of the oldest rules about going between the sticks still applies, though. Goalkeeping mistakes are more costly than anywhere else on the field. One blunder can cost your team all three points. It’s easy to become the villain.
You can’t move for a classy keeper in today’s game, but the very best are able to set themselves apart with their consistency and laser-like focus.
We’ve compiled a top 10 based on long-term career success, recent form and key stats. You’re probably going to disagree with us, but it’s a game of opinions, right?
RadioTimes.com brings you our definitive list of the 10 best goalkeepers in the world in 2026.
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10. Yann Sommer (Inter)
Yann Sommer has aged like a fine wine. The Swiss star spent much of his career as one of the most underrated stoppers on the planet.
That was, in part, due to long stints at unheralded clubs such as FC Basel and Borussia Monchengladbach, but his move to Inter has allowed him to get the credit he has long deserved.
As he was in the Swiss Super League and Bundesliga, Sommer has been exceptional for the San Siro outfit and played a key part in their run to the Champions League final last term. His high standards continued in the current campaign, conceding less than a goal per game in Serie A and Europe.
Switzerland will be without his services at the World Cup, however, as he called it quits on the international stage following Euro 2024.
9. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
While some goalkeepers prefer to quietly go about their business, Emiliano Martinez provides a box-office presence in the Aston Villa and Argentina goal.
Martinez had to graft to get to the top, cutting his teeth in the Arsenal youth system and on loan in the EFL, but his big chance came at Villa Park and he has not looked back.
The towering 33-year-old has been outstanding in recent years, winning the 2022 World Cup and the Yashin Trophy – awarded during the Ballon d’Or ceremony – in 2023 and 2024. He heads to the latest World Cup in fine form after helping Aston Villa to the Europa League title.
8. Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
It speaks volumes of his quality that of the three Spanish goalkeepers on this list, it is Unai Simon that has established himself as his country’s No. 1.
The 28-year-old has been a safe pair of hands at the back for Athletic Bilbao for years and formed part of La Liga’s meanest defence in 2024/25 as the Basque club qualified for the Champions League.
Now entering his prime, Simon has taken his game up a level in possession in recent seasons as well.
7. Joan Garcia (Barcelona)
One of Barcelona’s major summer signings in 2025, Joan Garcia has been backed to become the best keeper in the world – and for good reason. At 25, his presence and shot-stopping has caught the eye, but it’s his quality in possession that sets him apart.
The Spain international made his name at Espanyol before making the controversial move across the Catalan capital and the early signs are that he has what it takes to deal with the pressure of being the No.1 at a European heavyweight.
Despite being the goalie for one of the world’s biggest clubs, he’s likely to spend the World Cup on the bench.
6. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
A long-standing wall in the Atletico Madrid goal, Jan Oblak may not have won the trophies that some on this list have, but he has established himself as one of the best shot-stoppers of his generation.
While Oblak’s commanding box presence has been always been a key part of his game, the Slovenian deserves credit for reinventing himself over the years to become more comfortable in possession.
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5. Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
Mike Maignan has more than filled the void left by Hugo Lloris as France’s No. 1. If Les Bleus are to regain the World Cup title then the super shot-stopper will need to be on his a-game.
Known at AC Milan for coming up clutch in big moments, Maignan is also one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers.
A new contract looks set to dash the chance of a move to the Premier League in the coming years, although Milan’s failure to qualify for the Champions League could prompt a rethink.
4. Alisson (Liverpool)
Liverpool spent a big chunk of their transfer budget in 2018 on Alisson and he’s proved to be an inspired investment.
A sublime stopper that has been an integral cog during the Reds’ trophy-laden spell in recent years, it is difficult to think of a goalkeeper more suited to the modern era than the Brazilian.
Quite frankly, he’s got the lot. Lightning reflexes and perfect positioning, combined with an ability to start attacks and involve himself in build-up play. He rightly takes his place in the pantheon of greats, although an injury-hit campaign has seen him drop down the list.
3. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Thibaut Courtois is a strapping lad in the Real Madrid goal. Despite boasting a 6ft 7in frame, it’s his nimble nature that has ranked him among the best shot-stoppers in the game for so many years. He’s also pretty neat with the ball at his feet.
The big Belgian boasts a glittering CV. Wherever he has gone, from Genk to the Bernabeu via Chelsea, trophies have followed and now, well into his 30s, the Belgian remains one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the world.
2. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Man City)
Gianluigi Donnarumma was destined for the very top when he made his debut for AC Milan, one of the world’s biggest clubs, at the age of 16 and he’s gone on to establish himself as one of the best.
A remarkable shot-stopper with a monster reach, the Italian helped PSG finally win the Champions League in 2025 and was subsequently rewarded with his second Yashin Trophy.
A blockbuster move to Manchester City followed last summer and Premier League fans are beginning to properly understand just how good he is. He won’t be strutting his stuff at the World Cup, however, due to Italy’s failure in qualifying.
1. David Raya (Arsenal)
Eyebrows were raised when Mikel Arteta opted to sign David Raya just a year after splashing the cash on Aaron Ramsdale, but the Spanish stopper quickly became Arsenal’s number one and has taken his game to new heights at the Emirates Stadium.
Raya is renowned for his ball-playing skills and willingness to quickly start attacks – a staple of Artetaball – but it is his cat-like reflexes that helped the Gunners end their trophy drought this season. The 29-year-old boasts an incredible highlights reel from the 2025/26 campaign and landed the Premier League Golden Glove for the third season on the spin.
It’s just a shame he’s likely to spend his time twiddling his thumbs on Spain’s bench this summer.
Who is the best goalkeeper in the world?
David Raya’s taken the long route to the top, but he deserves to sit at the summit of our list following a brilliant season for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are built on a rock-solid backline and Raya’s an integral part.
He might not be the biggest goalie in the game, but he’s an expert shot stopper and fantastic with the ball at his feet.
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