One of the most important positions on the mind of every national team manager heading to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be the goalkeeper.
The player between the sticks is the man who will marshall the defence and serve as the last line to stop the ball from going in.
Best Goalkeepers For Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022
We are expecting to see some amazing goalkeepers at the tournament and in this article, we bring you a list of the shot-stoppers who, bar injuries, will surely be representing their teams at the mundial.
Thibaut Courtois
The big Belgian is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment. His 2021/22 season ended with a LaLiga title and a UEFA Champions League title, in which he was the man of the match after an unbeatable performance between the sticks for Real Madrid in the final.
Courtois has already been voted as the best goalkeeper at a World Cup when Belgium clinched third place in the 2018 edition of the tournament. A part of Belgium’s “golden generation”, the 30-year-old will be looking to finally win the World Cup with his national team in what is considered their last shot at immortality.
Manuel Neuer
36-year-old Manuel Neuer will be playing in his fourth World Cup after debuting in 2010 as Germany’s third youngest goalkeeper in their World Cup history.
He has quite a few pieces of history to his name in the tournament as well, even finishing in the top five for passes completed at the 2014 World Cup – which Germany won – with 244 passes.
At 36, he looks set to be making his swansong at the tournament but with the way goalkeepers age, we can never say never. Still, the original sweeper keeper will be making an appearance as Germany’s “Nummer Eins” once again in Qatar and we are looking forward to it.
Guillermo Ochoa
Guillermo Ochoa is rarely ever in the conversation for the best goalkeeper in the world but the 6ft goalkeeper is a World Cup icon in modern times, despite only becoming Mexico’s first choice in the 2014 and 2018 tournaments.
Mexico’s number one since the 2014 World Cup is set for a return to the tournament with El Tri. He will be participating in his fifth World Cup and be making history alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the next three players to join an exclusive list of players who have been to five World Cups.
Mexico have not achieved much in the tournament but Ochoa’s performances are always a bright spot to look out for. Fans will surely be excited to see the man who always takes the world by storm every four years once again.
Kasper Schmeichel
The Great Dane is following expertly in his father’s footsteps in their home country.
No goalkeeper has been able to replicate Peter Schmeichel’s feats in goal for the Scandinavian nation until his son. And for this reason, Denmark are considered one of the dark horses to win this year’s edition of the global showpiece.
The 35-year-old could also be making his last appearance at the World Cup, but fans are expecting it to be a memorable one.
Edouard Mendy
The big Senegalese goalkeeper will be making his debut at the tournament to culminate what has been a fairytale career. The 30-year-old almost did not make it pro until things turned around for him in his mid-20s.
Now an African Champion with Senegal, a European Champion and a World Champion with Chelsea, he will be looking forward to facing and proving himself against the best of the best in Qatar.