Bounou and Mendy among candidates for best goalkeeper award 2026

Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, of Al Hilal, and Senegalese Edouard Mendy, of Al Ahly, are competing for the Best Goalkeeper award for 2026.

France Football, in collaboration with the UEFA, has unveiled the official lists for the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards, showcasing a notable presence of goalkeepers from the Saudi Pro League.

The squad includes ten goalkeepers, including Yassine Bounou and Edouard Mendy, alongside Thibaut Courtois, Juan García, Gregor Kobel, Emiliano Martínez, and David Raya.

Matvei Safonov, Unai Simón, and Vojinica are also competing for the title of Best Goalkeeper in the World, completing the list of ten candidates.

Yassine Bounou and Edouard Mendy's nominations reflect the growing presence of Saudi Pro League goalkeepers in global awards, as the duo has successfully made it to the elite list of goalkeepers for the year 2026.

Football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony to find out which goalkeeper will win the award amid strong competition among the ten names.

Bounou and Mendy hope to continue Saudi representation on the global awards stage, as the duo has become among the top contenders for this year's Best Goalkeeper award.