Mohamed Al‑Daiaa says no standout goalkeepers at World Cup 2026

Former Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al‑Daiaa said the 2026 FIFA World Cup has not produced any exceptional shot‑stoppers. He pointed to a record 34 goals scored from outside the penalty area in the tournament’s first round, far exceeding the 27 in 2010, as evidence that goalkeepers are failing to handle long‑range attempts.

Al‑Daiaa blamed recent FIFA changes – lighter balls, increased water on the pitch and other technical adjustments – for making the goalkeeping task harder. While he dismissed the performance of current keepers, he noted that some Arab keepers, such as Morocco’s Yassine Bounou and Egypt’s Mustafa Shopeir, had previously stood out in earlier World Cups. The former keeper’s comments sparked debate on the quality of goalkeeping in the North American‑hosted tournament.