FIFA World Cup Golden Glove winners: Manuel Neuer and Thibaut Courtois are among the recipients

The FIFA World Cup Golden Glove is a trophy awarded to the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

The winner is recognized by the FIFA Technical Study Group which examines the goalkeeper’s performance at the World Cup. In the event of a tie between players, the award is given to the goalkeeper who advances the most in the competition, followed by the number of saves and minutes played.

Since the beginning of the competition, the organizing committee has been giving this award. However, it was officially recognized only in 1994 as the Lev Yasin Award, named after the legendary goalkeeper of the Soviet Union.

Golden Glove Winner of FIFA World Cup 1994 – Michel Preud’homme

Former Belgium goalkeeper Michel Preudhomme won the first official winner at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Although Belgium lost to Germany in the round of 16, Preudhomme won the Golden Glove award for his outstanding performances, keeping two clean sheets in three group stage matches. He was also a part of that edition’s All-Star team, which included 11 of the best players of the tournament.

Golden Glove Winner of FIFA World Cup 1998 – Fabien Barthez

In the 1998 edition, Fabien Barthez became the first French footballer to draw his name on the list of FIFA World Cup Golden Glove winners.

Host nation France won the FIFA World Cup title for the first time in 1998. Barthez kept five clean sheets in seven games, conceding just two goals. The team led by Didier Deschamps won the World Cup for the first time after defeating the mighty Brazilians 3-0 in the final.

Golden Glove Winner of FIFA World Cup 2022 r- Oliver Kahn

The 2002 edition saw German legend Oliver Kahn receive the Golden Glove award.

This time, while Brazil won the title, Germany became the runner-up. Keeper Oliver Kahn earned the honor for his stellar performance as he conceded just three goals in seven games, maintaining five shutouts.

Moreover, Oliver Kahn also won the Golden Ball Award at the 2002 World Cup. To date, he is the only player to win both awards in the same edition of the quadrennial event.

Golden Glove Winner of FIFA World Cup 2006 – Gianluigi Buffon

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon won the Golden Glove Award alongside the 2006 World Cup. Buffon kept five clean sheets in seven games.

Italy beat France 5-3 in the penalty shootout in the final after the scheduled time ended with a 1-1 draw.

Golden Glove Winner of FIFA World Cup 2010 : Iker Casillas

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas won the following edition in 2010, after it was renamed the ‘Golden Glove Award’ from the ‘Lev Yassin Award’.

Casillas kept six clean sheets during Spain’s first World Cup win, conceding just two goals.

Interestingly, Spain set a new record for the fewest goals scored by a World Cup winning team with just eight in seven games, previously held by Brazil and England (11 and 1994 and 1966 editions respectively).

Golden Glove Winner of FIFA World Cup 2014 – Manuel Neuer

Germany’s Manuel Neuer played an integral role in Germany’s victory at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, conceding just four goals in the tournament.

However, the final against Argentina was a comfortable one for Neuer, who managed just one save and comfortably kept a clean sheet.

Golden Glove Winner of FIFA World Cup 2018 – Thibaut Curtois

Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois won the title in 2014 after his team reached the semi-finals, his best-ever finish at a FIFA World Cup. He had 27 saves in the tournament.

Courtois became the second Belgian to win the Golden Glove Award since Michel Preudhomme claimed it in 1994.

Both Neuer and Courtois have been selected for their respective national teams for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They have the opportunity to win the Golden Glove for the second time, which no goalkeeper has achieved in the history of the tournament.

List of FIFA World Cup Golden Glove winners