Neuer, Courtois and Mendy Listed Among Top 6 Goalkeepers to Watch Out for at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Neuer, Courtois and Mendy Listed Among Top 6 Goalkeepers to Watch Out for at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:15 PM
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  • The 2022 FIFA World Cup will boast of some of the world’s best goalkeepers fighting for honours for their respective nations
  • Manuel Neuer, Thibaut Courtois, Édouard Mendy, and Alisson Becker are some of the top goalkeepers expected to shine at the World Cup
  • The 2022 FIFA World Cup has been scheduled to take place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December

The world’s best goalkeepers are set to battle for football’s ultimate prize when the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar from November 20 to December 18.

Germany’s Manuel Neuer and Hugo Lloris of France are two goalkeepers who have previously won the World Cup that are still heading back to Qatar 2022 as their country’s first-choice goalies.

Alisson Becker, Ederson Moraes, Liverpool, Manchester City, FIFA World Cup, English Premier League
Brazil will have two of the best goalkeepers in Alisson Becker and Ederson Moraes in their squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Photo by Alex Dodd/James Gill
Source: Getty Images

Senegal’s Edouard Mendy and Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez will be making their debut at football’s biggest competition after winning the AFCON and Copa America respectively, Boom reports.

Exciting feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

Here, Sports Brief takes a look at the top goalkeepers expected to shine at the 2022 FIFA World Cup for their respective countries.

1. Thibaut Courtois (Belgium/Real Madrid)

A significant player for the Roberto Martnez-coached Belgian team, Thibaut Courtois belongs to the golden generation of Belgium which hasn't yet found success on the international stage.

Thibaut Coutois, Real Madrid, Belgium, FIFA World Cup, Ballon d'Or, Spain
Thibaut Courtois recently won the Yashin trophy for the best goalkeeper in the 2022 Ballon d'Or awards. Photo by Angel Martinez
Source: Getty Images

With his experience playing club football for Real Madrid, Courtois' résumé speaks for itself.

To begin with, the Real Madrid goalkeeper played a significant role in helping Belgium finish in third place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia while also receiving the Golden Glove for being the competition's top goalkeeper

Courtois also won the Yashin Trophy by France Football in 2022 when he helped Real Madrid win the LaLiga and the Champions League in 2022.

2. Manuel Neuer (Germany/Bayern Munich)

Germany's first-choice goalie is Manuel Neuer, and he has a track record of success with the 2014 World Cup champions.

Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich, Germany, Bundesliga, FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022
Manuel Neuer won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 and will be in goal again for the Germans in Qatar in 2022. Photo by DeFodi Images
Source: Getty Images

Strikers struggle to score past Neuer due to his legendary sweeps and quick reflexes that deflect the ball away from the goal.

In Manuel Neuer, Germany coach Hansi Flick also gets the Golden Glove winner of the 2014 World Cup.

Neuer stood like a wall against Argentina in the final, stopping Lionel Messi and the entire Argentina team from achieving the biggest international glory.

He was the first choice of then-coach Joachim Löw that saw Germany triumph in Brazil and add the fourth star over the German national crest.

3. Alisson Becker (Brazil/Liverpool)

Alisson Becker is regarded as one of the world’s best goalkeepers following his superb display for English Premier League giants Liverpool.

Alisson Becker, Brazil, Liverpool, UEFA Champions League, Ederson Moraes, FIFA World Cup
Alisson Becker has won the Premier League and UEFA Champions League and is now aiming to win the World Cup with Brazil. Photo by Alex Dodd
Source: Getty Images

At Liverpool, Alisson has won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, UEFA Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup.

Alisson is expected to battle for Brazil first choice goalkeeping spot with rival and Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes as the Selecao bid for a 6th World Cup crown in Qatar.

4. Ederson Moraes (Brazil/Manchester City)

Brazil is spoilt for choice in the goalkeeping department as Manchester City goalkeeper, Ederson Moraes is also expected to be in the place for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Ederson Moraes, Manchester City, Brazil, FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, Alisson Becker, Liverpool
Ederson Moraes will contest for Brazil's number 1 spot with rival Alisson Becker when the 2022 World Cup begins in Qatar. Photo by James Gill
Source: Getty Images

The Manchester City shot-stopper has been in neck-to-neck competition with Alisson both at club level and the national team.

The two keepers were successful in maintaining 20 clean sheets each for their clubs in the 2021-22 season of the Premier League.

5. Marc-André ter Stegen (Germany/Barcelona)

When Barcelona's defense keeps a clean sheet, Marc-André ter Stegen stands out on his own as a key component.

Marc-André ter Stegen, Manuel Neuer, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Germany, 2022 FIFA World Cup
Marc-André ter Stegen has been in superb form for Barcelona this season and will fancy his chances of displacing Manuel Neuer as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup. Photo by NurPhoto
Source: Getty Images

The Barcelona goalkeeper will hope to take his club form into the 2022 FIFA World Cup as he tries to displace Germany’s first-choice goalie Manuel Neuer who has been prone to injuries this season.

Ter Stegen has been one of the standout goalkeepers in Europe this season and Germany will hope to bank on his experience when they try to reclaim the World Cup from France.

6. Edouard Mendy (Senegal/Chelsea)

Senegal will hope Edouard Mendy brings his good luck charm to help the West Africans win their first-ever World Cup trophy.

Edouard Mendy, Chelsea, Senegal, 2022 FIFA World Cup, AFCON, UEFA Champions League
Edouard Mendy is Senegal's first-choice goalkeeper heading to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Photo by Marco Canoniero
Source: Getty Images

Mendy has experienced tremendous progress since joining Chelsea in 2021, going on to win the UEFA Champions League and Club World Cup.

The Chelsea goalie also played a key role as Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after defeating Egypt via penalties.

Honorable mentions: Unai Simón (Spain), Keylor Navas (Costa Rica), Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Fernando Muslera (Uruguay), Yann Sommer (Switzerland), Rui Patrício (Portugal), Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark), Wojciech Szczęsny (Poland), Hugo Lloris and Mike Maignan (France)

Courtois launches scathing attack on Ballon d’Or

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Thibaut Courtois has slammed the Ballon d'Or voting process, claiming that it is impossible for a goalkeeper to win the coveted prize.

The 30-year-old became the first Belgian player to clinch the Lev Yashin Trophy after edging competition from Alisson Becker, Ederson Moraes, and Edouard Mendy.

The shot-stopper enjoyed a stunning 2021-22 campaign, keeping 22 clean sheets and conceding just 46 goals across all competitions, helping Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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