The Greatest Goalkeepers in World Cup History: Every Golden Glove Champion Revealed

FIFA didn't formally introduce the World Cup Golden Boot (originally known as the "Golden Shoe") until 1982, and it took considerably longer for elite goalkeepers to receive meaningful recognition for their performances at the tournament.

Unlike other competitions, the World Cup Golden Glove isn't necessarily awarded to the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets. Rather, it goes to whoever is deemed to have been the standout goalkeeper throughout the tournament.

In 2026, the Golden Glove will be presented for the ninth time, with some of the game's greatest shot-stoppers already on the list of past recipients.

Here is the complete list of previous World Cup Golden Glove winners.

Every World Cup Golden Glove Winner By Year

The Golden Glove was originally known as the "Yashin Trophy," named in tribute to legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who passed away in March 1990. Yashin was selected for four World Cups between 1958 and 1970, featuring in three of them and making 13 appearances in total. His side finished fourth in 1966 with Yashin guarding the goal.

Belgian veteran Michel Preud'homme became the first Yashin Trophy recipient in 1994, guiding his nation to the round of 16 with two clean sheets during the group stage. Belgium were difficult to watch, scraping through to the knockout rounds as one of the best third-place sides, having netted just twice.

Their goal tally doubled in the first knockout round against Germany, who progressed with a 3–2 win. Preud'homme, aged 35 at the time, had joined Benfica before the tournament and would go on to have a fruitful career in the Portuguese capital well into the later stages of his playing days.

Like several World Cup Golden Glove recipients, Fabien Barthez benefited from a resolute defense on home turf in 1998. The future Manchester United goalkeeper, standing at 5'11", silenced doubters about his height and kept five clean sheets for France across seven appearances as Les Bleus savored a memorable summer.

His tally of five clean sheets was equaled by the next three winners, with Oliver Kahn placing third in the 2002 Ballon d'Or vote on the strength of one of the most remarkable goalkeeping campaigns in tournament history.

Full List of Golden Glove Winners

The second of Gianluigi Buffon's four World Cups concluded in Italian triumph, and the legendary goalkeeper produced one of his most memorable saves to deny Zinedine Zidane in extra time of the final. Italy's number one conceded just once from open play throughout the entire tournament and was the clear Yashin Trophy recipient.

The award was officially rebranded as the Golden Glove at the 2010 World Cup, and victorious captain Iker Casillas claimed the honor after stopping Arjen Robben in a one-on-one situation with a breathtaking leg save. Casillas, aided in part by Spain's exceptional ball retention, did not concede a single goal during the knockout rounds.

Manuel Neuer had already cemented his status as the world's best goalkeeper by the time the next tournament arrived in Brazil, and his individual accolade reflected his groundbreaking style of play. The German kept four clean sheets and, much like Kahn in 2002, finished third in that year's Ballon d'Or standings.

Thibaut Courtois delivered a more quietly impressive performance in 2018, but there was nothing understated about Emiliano Martínez's showing in 2022. Lionel Messi was Argentina's talisman in Qatar, yet his crowning moment would not have been possible without Martínez, who proved heroic in penalty shootout wins over the Netherlands and France.

Much like Buffon and Casillas in 2006 and 2010 respectively, Argentina's goalkeeper also produced a match-defining stop in the final. Martínez's save to deny Randal Kolo Muani deep in extra time was extraordinary, leaving a lasting mark on football history.

World Cup Golden Glove Winners By Country

There were eight Golden Glove winners prior to the 2026 World Cup, with only two nations claiming more than one recipient. Belgium and Germany each have two.

France, Italy, Spain and Argentina are also represented among the award's past winners.

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Of the eight winners, five also helped their countries lift the World Cup trophy. Kahn guided Germany to the final, while Belgium finished third with Courtois in 2018. Preud'homme's side only advanced to the round of 16, but the experienced goalkeeper had been exceptional throughout the group stage.