All champion teams need a dependable No1, and players have a glut of talented goalkeepers to choose from.
Whether you’re targeting a pricey purchase from one of the favourites, a steady shot-stopper or a bargain between the posts, here are nine custodians well worth consideration.
Where better to start than with the from Qatar 2022. Martinez, a noted penalty saving specialist, provides a dependable and charismatic last line of defence for La Albiceleste, and comes into the tournament brimming with confidence after helping Aston Villa to glory in the UEFA Europa League - a competition in which he kept six clean sheets, including in the final.
Another top-shelf option, but one from whom you know exactly what you are getting. Diogo Costa kept a sensational 21 clean sheets as FC Porto won the Liga Portugal for the first time in four years in 2025/26, form that he will be keen to replicate at the global finals. Group K foes Congo DR, Uzbekistan, and Colombia will certainly have to be at their best to get past him.
Blue-chip goalkeeping acquisitions don’t come much bluer than Courtois. Consistently one of the best goalkeepers in the world over the past decade, the Real Madrid veteran is a sensational shot-stopper and already has seven clean sheets to his name across 15 World Cup appearances. Form like that makes him very difficult for fantasy players to ignore.
Moving away from the heftiest price tags, Kobel looks a high-quality alternative without the need to pay a premium. Ever-present as Borussia Dortmund finished as runners-up in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, the Swiss No1 conceded just twice in European qualifying and could score highly in what look set to be closely contested games in Group B against Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina and co-hosts Canada.
One of the breakout stars of Qatar 2022, Bounou is another slightly cheaper choice for fantasy players to consider. After keeping clean sheets against Croatia, Spain and Portugal as Morocco sensationally progressed to the semi-finals last time out, the 35-year-old will have no fear heading into his nation’s opener against the might of Brazil, before targeting more points from clashes with Scotland and a Haiti side back on the global stage for the first time since 1974.
On the one hand, choosing a goalkeeper set to face the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in Group I doesn’t seem like the finest strategy. However, fantasy players should keep in mind that one point is also accrued for every three saves made. Mendy is certainly no slouch and kept seven clean sheets in African qualifying, helped steer Senegal to the final of the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, and is a two-time AFC Champions League Elite winner with Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli.
When it comes to getting bang for your buck, it is hard to ignore the value of Suzuki at $4.3m. Undisputed No1 for a Japan side widely regarded as a dark horse to go deep at this year’s competition, the Parma player looks a bargain. Suzuki comes into his maiden World Cup in fine form, with clean sheets in each of his past three games, against Iceland, England and Scotland.
Ecuador is another team many expect to upset the odds this northern summer, and Galindez is one of the key reasons for that. The veteran is heading into his second – and, – World Cup, and is determined to go out on a high. After keeping eight clean sheets during South American qualifying, and with a defence including Piero Hincapie and Willian Pacho in front of him, the 39-year-old represents a steal for just $4.2m.
Another clear first choice in a group that looks very finely-poised, Ryan offers a sound selection choice for fantasy managers on the hunt for a bargain. The vastly experienced Levante keeper has played every minute of Australia’s last ten World Cup games, and will be keen to add to the clean sheets he achieved against Tunisia and Denmark at Qatar 2022 when the Socceroos take on Türkiye, co-hosts USA, and Paraguay in Group D.
Sources: FIFA Official
