Goalkeepers steal the spotlight in early 2026 World Cup matches

In the opening group‑stage games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, several keepers have dominated headlines. Curaçao’s Eloy Room set a tournament record with 15 saves against Ecuador and amassed 19 stops in two matches, averaging 9.5 per game. Cabo Verde’s 40‑year‑old veteran Vozinha made seven saves against Spain, becoming the second oldest keeper to record that many stops in a World Cup match. Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al Owais recorded nine saves in a 1‑1 draw with Uruguay, while Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand earned two crucial points for his side.

Mexico’s Raúl Rangel kept clean sheets in both of his team’s opening fixtures and made a decisive late save against South Korea. Brazil’s Alisson Becker preserved a draw with a last‑minute stop against Morocco, and Ghana’s Benjamin Asare impressed with multiple saves against England, drawing attention for his unconventional pool‑training routine. In contrast, Uruguay’s veteran Fernando Muslera was blamed for errors that led to a 2‑2 draw with Cabo Verde and a costly miss against Spain, limiting his team’s progress in the tournament.