Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Pickford, Costa top FIFA World Cup goalkeeper power rankings after round of 16

FIFA’s power rankings assess players’ performances throughout a tournament.

• July 9, 2026
Jordan Pickford/Diogo Costa
Jordan Pickford/Diogo Costa

England’s Jordan Pickford and Portugal’s Diogo Costa top FIFA’s World Cup goalkeeper power rankings after impressive performances in the round of 16 of the 2026 tournament.

The power rankings, compiled by the world football governing body using advanced metrics, assess players’ performances throughout the tournament.

For a goalkeeper, FIFA evaluates their performance in two major categories, “In Possession” and “Defending the Goal.”

The first category measures goalkeepers’ ability and contribution to distribution and build-up play, while the second assesses their goal-preventing ability.

In the possession category, Pickford leads the pack with a score of 7.21 after delivering a stellar performance in England’s dramatic victory against Mexico on Monday. 

The performance pushed the Everton goalkeeper to 10th place on the rankings. 

Pickford produced three crucial saves from five shots, completing ten line breaks.  His pass completion rate was 56 per cent as England were reduced to 10 men following Jarell Quansah’s red card.

Following the Englishman closely behind was Paraguay’s Orlando Gill, who also recorded a 7.21 score, after featuring in the nation’s tough fixtures against France and Germany.

The 26-year-old made four saves against France, from five shots, preventing 15 goal contributions, completing seven line breaks. 

Spain’s Unai Simon scored 6.41 in the category, moving up to tenth place on the power ranking, after a fantastic display in Portugal’s late defeat to Spain, making two key saves from two shots faced.

Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa topped the ‘Defending the Goal’ category with a score of 8.90. The shot-stopper completed five saves against Spain. In his last five matches, he has completed over 19 saves and a total of 69 goal preventions.

Switzerland’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has been one of the instrumental performers of the competition, helping the Nati to remain unbeaten in the tournament. 

In Switzerland’s last 16 clash with Colombia, he made three saves and a huge penalty shootout save, earning a score of 8.22.

Norway’s Orjan Nyland rounds up the category with a score of 7.57, moving up to fifth place on the power rankings. 

The 35-year-old put on an outstanding performance in Norway’s win against Brazil, saving a first-half penalty and making four saves.

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