Suddenly June is here and that means the World Cup 2026 is so close you can almost taste it.
While much of the focus will naturally be on the superstar outfield players and their nations tipped for glory, it is often those who go under the radar who emerge as the heroes.
I am, of course, talking about the goalkeepers.
The likes of veteran Manuel Neuer and brilliant Belgian Thibaut Courtois need no introduction, but what of the other shot stoppers who can make a name for themselves to a wider audience – a worldwide audience – and deliver World Cup 2026 highlights.
The custodians I am going to focus on play for nations with very different expectations but are well worth keeping an eye out for.
Mike Maignan (France)
For legions of Les Bleus fans who grew up watching Joel Bats, Fabien Barthez and World Cup winning captain Hugo Lloris, the name of Mike Maignan has never carried quite the same weight.
Yet the AC Milan number one, although linked with a move away from the Rossoneri of late, has become a mainstay for his national team and will be one of the first names in manager Didier Deschamps’ starting XI.
Was I surprised that Lucas Chevalier is not in the squad? Very. That’s because the Lille man is regarded as one of Europe’s top young talents and has impressed in Lique 1.
But even if he had been included in the squad, Maignan would have retained his place as first choice.
Along with reigning European champions Spain, the SBOTOP World Cup 2026 betting odds make France favourites to reclaim the World title they came so close to defending last time out and Maignan offers a reassuring last line of defence.
Maignan features somewhere in the middle age bracket when it comes to the mix of established veterans and highly rated young shot-stoppers who will be in action in the US, Mexico and Canada this summer.
One promising prospect stepping into the spotlight is:
Zion Suzuki (Japan)
The Japanese goalkeeper is one of the key leaders of his country’s new generation and played a major role in World Cup qualification, as well as in historic friendly victories against Brazil and England. Since his youth career, he displayed enormous potential and quickly earned the starting role.
Suzuki, who plays for Parma in Serie A, could be the key man in whether Japan emerge from Group F, which comprises Holland, Sweden and Tunisia, and live up to their billing as one of the surprise teams of the tournament.
If Japan are tipped as a nation who could upset some of the established order in international football, what of the Atlas Lions?
They are currently the AFCON champions, albeit after Senegal were stripped of the title at the start of the year, and they travel Stateside hoping for history to repeat itself.
Their number one is:
Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
The Moroccan goalkeeper was one of the breakout stars of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and one of the main reasons behind Morocco’s historic semi-final run.
Here was a player who, in a quarter-final victory against Portugal, earned his 50th cap for his country and was awarded the man of the match.
Three of the back four that finished that match were deputies which showed just how important Bounou’s contribution was.
And for anyone who believes it was a fluke, there was nothing fortunate about defeating Belgium, Spain and Portugal in that tournament without conceding a goal – Bounou, then of Sevilla, saw to that in normal play and a penalty shoot-out against Spain.
Now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia, Bono brings tremendous confidence and personality in high-pressure matches.
A penalty specialist with exceptional one-on-one reflexes, his leadership will also be vital for a Moroccan team eager to prove that success in Qatar was no coincidence.
My final word goes to someone I believe could be the busiest man in the group stages.
In a group comprising Morocco, Scotland and Brazil, no wonder many people expect Haiti to be whipping boys.
However, their return to the biggest stage for the first time since 1974 has some wonderful individual tales, including that of Johny Placide, the veteran who holds their defence together.
After progressing through every level with Les Grenadiers, this qualification stands as one of the most important achievements in his national team’s history.
The 38 year-old played most of the qualifiers and became the leader of a squad eager to make history.
Bringing his own experience and leadership, Placide is not only the captain, but also the face of a generation aiming to transcend expectations.
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