There’s nothing quite like the tension in a World Cup knockout match, where one moment between the sticks can tip a nation into chaos or jubilation. The best goalkeepers World Cup 2022 delivered unforgettable drama, with some old heads and new names etching themselves into football history.
This list cuts across both shot stopping brilliance and big match mentality. We’re weighing up performances, defining saves, and the moments that meant everything to fans and the wider game, as FIFA World Cup Qatar put keepers in spotlight like never before.
Why top goalkeepers shape World Cup legends
Why does it matter who starred in goal at the world’s biggest tournament? Simply put, the entire flow of a knockout tie can hinge on that last line of defence. Iconic goalkeepers become part of supporter folklore: think Gordon Banks in 1970, or Buffon in 2006, shaping terrace tales for decades afterwards.
In 2022, with pressing at full throttle and penalty shootouts aplenty, those wearing the gloves became as crucial as any striker. The right save as Emi Martinez produced to break French hearts — shifts national mood and colours pub chat for generations.
Criteria for Ranking: More than just saves
The best goalkeepers at the 2022 World Cup stood out not only for reflexes and clean sheets, but for leadership, distribution under pressure, and moments that defined the tournament’s narrative.
- Consistency across group stage and knockouts
- Big saves in clutch moments, especially penalties
- Communication and command of area
- Link to attacking transitions (sweeper keeper play)
- Cultural impact for club and country supporters
World Cup 2022 standout keepers
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)
- Strengths:
Shot stopping, penalty presence, sheer personality. - Defining moments:
Martinez wrote himself into World Cup legend with a display in the 2022 final as tense as any in history. His save from Kolo Muani in extra time, followed by two shootout stops, gave Argentina the edge and delivered Lionel Messi his crowning glory (18 December 2022). - Club and country legacy:
Aston Villa’s number one grew from a Championship keeper to a Copa America and now World champion. The 2022 final alone cemented his status in South American football folklore, sparking chants from Buenos Aires to Birmingham. - Why fans remember him:
Those celebrations, both on the pitch and in the city streets afterwards, made Martinez a new folk hero for a generation raised on Messi.
Dominik Livaković (Croatia)
- Strengths:
Reflexes, poise under pressure, penalty wizardry. - Defining moments:
Livaković was immense in shootouts vs Japan (Round of 16, 5 December 2022) and Brazil (Quarter Final, 9 December 2022), saving three and one penalty respectively and keeping Croatia’s dream alive. His calm as underdogs sparked memories of 2018’s run. - Milestones:
Dinamo Zagreb’s keeper confirmed Croatia as a penalty shootout force, building his reputation for the big stage and adding to Balkan goalkeeper folklore. - Fan culture:
Fans remember him for his cool under fire in the shootouts, becoming a terrace chant staple across Zagreb.
Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
- Strengths:
Composure, sense reading, leadership. - Defining moments:
Bounou, widely known as Bono, lifted all of North Africa by starring in Morocco’s historic semi final run. His two penalty saves vs Spain (Round of 16, 6 December 2022) sent shockwaves through world football. - Club and country highlights:
A mainstay at Sevilla, Bono became the first African keeper in a World Cup semi final, symbolising North African pride and prompting a surge in shirt demand from Casablanca to London’s Moroccan diaspora. - Why he matters:
The sight of Moroccan fans in red celebrating his saves will linger for decades, tying the nation closer to its European footballers.
Hugo Lloris (France)
- Strengths:
Distribution, experience, composure in chaos. - Defining moments:
The France captain marshalled his side through shootouts and high scoring contests, including crucial stops vs England (Quarter Final, 10 December 2022) and a steadying presence against Morocco (Semi Final, 14 December 2022). - Legacy:
Long serving Tottenham legend and France’s record cap holder, his calm kept France on course for back to back finals, building on years at the heart of Les Bleus. - Fan culture:
A quiet leader, Lloris’s shirts still fly off shelves across France and North London.
Alisson Becker (Brazil)
- Strengths:
Sweeper keeper skills, distribution, shot stopping. - Defining moments:
Though Brazil fell short in the quarters, Alisson’s group stage performances and confident sweeping showcased the modern profile of an elite goalkeeper. His style inspires a new wave of kids, and sparked singing in Merseyside pubs. - Club career:
Liverpool’s number one has been pivotal for Jurgen Klopp’s side domestically and in Europe, bringing Brazilian flair to England’s hardest league. - Why fans rate him:
Alisson’s cool in high lines and his “golero” aura fit Liverpool’s identity perfectly, a blend of Samba style and gritty northern resolve.
The legacy of legendary World Cup goalkeepers
The 2022 World Cup was a display of diversity and new icons. These keepers joined a long line of greats: think Lev Yashin’s black clad heroics for the Soviet Union in 1966, or Oliver Kahn dragging Germany to the 2002 final. Each era’s standout becomes part of city lore and neighbourhood pride. The adidas gloves or club shirts worn for those moments become treasures in collections and boot room boasts from Sutton Coldfield to Casablanca.
Long after the final whistle in Qatar, supporters still debate who was best — and many order that year’s shirts for their own five aside, inspired by the names above. Find classic World Cup kits and goalkeeper shirts in our Argentina collection on cheapfootballshirts.com.
What to watch next season
Fans now look ahead to how these stoppers carry their name into club campaigns and qualifying rounds. Will Martinez keep up his Wembley level form for Aston Villa? Can Livaković or Bono secure a big move to one of Europe’s elite? Alisson and Lloris, meanwhile, face the pressures of consistency in the Premier League, and upcoming stars across Europe will try to join this elite company.
FAQs
- What set Emiliano Martinez apart at World Cup 2022?
His last gasp save in extra time and penalty stop against France were arguably the highest pressure moments of the tournament, cementing his place in Argentina’s national story. - Why are penalty saves so important for a keeper’s World Cup reputation?
They can win or lose an entire knockout match, and shootout heroes often become instant legends in their countries, with their shirt sales and street murals surging. - Did any keeper break a World Cup record in 2022?
Dominik Livaković tied the tournament record for most penalty saves in a single shootout, adding another milestone for Croatian football. - How do keepers influence team culture?
Their style and personality often set the tone for the team a bold sweeper keeper or an emotional leader can lift both supporters and squad. - Are classic keeper kits from World Cups popular among fans?
Yes, because they represent iconic moments fans still talk about, leading many to add such shirts to collections for both nostalgia and pride.
Conclusion
Thinking back on the best goalkeepers World Cup 2022, it is clear these stoppers did more than keep the ball out. Each became a lasting symbol for club and country, shaping city identities, kit sales, and new generation dreams. From Martinez’s dance in Doha to Bono’s pride for all of Africa, these names will echo in terrace chants and old shirts for years to come.
For your own piece of World Cup history, see our full range of goalkeeper and national team kits at cheapfootballshirts.com. Supporters know — the best moments inspire the best shirts.
