Soccer

Ballon d'Or 2026 - The nominations for Goalkeeper of the Year

DAZN

Published by Ash Rose

8, Sep

Ballon d'Or 2026 - The nominations for Goalkeeper of the Year

Watch the Ballon d'Or live and free on DAZN

The 2026 Ballon d'Or will take place next month in a lavish London ceremony, which you can watch live on DAZN.

It's very rare that a goalkeeper captures the main award, so since 2019 there has been a separate prize for the men and women between the sticks.

The nominees for the men's and women's Goalkeeper of the Year have been announced today, and DAZN News runs down the contenders.

Men's Goalkeeper of the Year 2026 nominees

There are 10 nominees for the Men's Goalkeeper of the Year, named after Lev Yashin, the legendary former Soviet stopper.

The World Cup has had a massive influence on the field, and it sees tournament-winning keeper Unai Simón among the contenders, along with Yassine Bounou of Morocco, who impressed in the States and Cape Verde hero Vozinha.

Along with Simón, there are also two other Spanish goalkeepers listed, with title-winners David Raya and Joan García as two more nominees.

Emiliano Martinez has won his trophy twice previously, and has once again been shortlisted for his performances in Aston Villa's Europa League triumph.

Here are the 10 names shortlisted.

Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al-Hilal)
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Real Madrid)
Joan García (Spain, FC Barcelona)
Gregor Kobel (Switzerland, Borussia Dortmund)
Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa/Chelsea)
Édouard Mendy (Senegal, Al-Ahli)
David Raya (Spain, Arsenal)
Matvey Safonov (Russia, Paris-SG)
Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Bilbao)
Vozinha (Cape Verde, GD Chaves/Colo-Colo)

DAZN/FIFA

Women's Goalkeeper of the Year 2026 nominees

The Yashin Award for the Women's Goalkeeper of the Year has five nominees spread across America, England and Spain.

Manchester City's domestic double has seen Ayaka Yamashita shortlisted, alongside fellow WSL keeper and England star Hannah Hampton.

Here are the five names shortlisted.

Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany, Gotham FC)
Cata Coll (Spain, FC Barcelona)
Hannah Hampton (England, Chelsea)
Lorena (Brazil, Kansas City Current)
Ayaka Yamashita (Japan, Manchester City)

Watch the Ballon d’Or live and for free on DAZN

Find out which two players will be crowned the best male and female player on the planet on Monday, October 26 at the Ballon d’Or awards. Watch exclusively worldwide live and FREE on DAZN (check for excluded territories)

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