FIFA 2022 World Cup: The Best Goalkeepers going to Qatar

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By Martin Graham | 1st Jun 2022

As we prepare to witness the best outfield players at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, we are also preparing to witness superhuman feats of agility by the goalkeepers on display.

The position is sure to be top of every manager’s mind as they prepare for the World Cup because they are the last line of defence when all else fails.

We are surely going to be seeing a number of familiar faces and in this article, we are reminding you of some of those shot-stoppers we have come to appreciate.

Guillermo Ochoa

When you think of a World Cup unicorn, you think of Mexico’s number 1, Guillermo Ochoa.

The man who ended the 2018 World Cup with 25 saves in four games is a modern World Cup legend, despite only playing in two – 2014 and 2018.

At the 2022 World Cup, however, the 36-year-old will be joining Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in an illustrious list of players to have made the squad for five World Cups following his call ups in 2006 and 2010.

Mexico have not achieved much in the tournament but Ochoa’s performances are always a bright spot to look out for.

Manuel Neuer

The original sweeper keeper will surely be in between the sticks for Germany, a nation that is blessed with goalkeeping talents.

Just like Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn before him, however, Neuer is a special one and has been making headlines for almost two decades.

The 36-year-old could be playing his final tournament and he will be looking to bow out in style with another World Cup medal to add to his 2014 one.

Thibaut Courtois

It is not far-fetched to say that the big Belgian is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment. His recent performance in the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League final is testament to how great he is between the sticks.

Courtois has already grabbed a piece of World Cup history by winning the golden globe at the 2018 World Cup when Belgium finished in third place.

However, as a member of the famed “golden generation” of Belgium, he has not won much and will be even more determined to make a big splash in Qatar.

Luckily for us, we will surely get to witness him in more World Cups as he is only 30 years old, which makes him a baby goalkeeper by all standards.

Alisson Becker and Ederson de Moraes

Alisson Becker and Ederson de Moraes are placed together because it is hard for fans to see that these two are peers and playing for the same nation.

On the club scene, they are also great rivals with Alisson turning out for Liverpool and Ederson turning out for Manchester City. Both men give Title a headache, but the veteran manager dare not drop one for the other when going for tournaments.

We may get to see rotation happen at the World Cup and witness both goalkeepers excel at their strengths in a superpowered Brazil team that recently clinched the number one spot on FIFA’s rankings.

Emiliano Martinez

The 29-year-old will be making his World Cup debut after emerging as one of the best goalkeepers in the World since the last World Cup.

His performances helped Argentina qualify for the World Cup and also seal the 2020 Copa America, which was his first tournament in the national team.

Since his debut for the national team in 2021, he has been touted as the missing piece for Argentina to finally reclaim World Cup glory. Fans will finally get to witness this come November 21.