Spain’s Simón equals World Cup clean-sheet record

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón has moved into joint third place on FIFA’s all-time list of goalkeepers with the most clean sheets at the FIFA World Cup, strengthening his place in the World Cup clean-sheet record rankings following Spain’s run to the 2026 final.

According to FIFA’s updated rankings released after Wednesday’s semi-finals, Simón has recorded eight clean sheets in 11 World Cup appearances, matching the totals of Jan Jongbloed, Emerson Leão, Sepp Maier, Taffarel, Thibaut Courtois and Hugo Lloris in the World Cup clean-sheet record standings.

The rankings are jointly led by France’s Fabien Barthez and England’s Peter Shilton, who each kept 10 clean sheets in 17 World Cup appearances.

Barthez recorded five shutouts during France’s 1998 World Cup-winning campaign, one in 2002 and four in 2006.

Shilton registered four clean sheets in 1982, three in 1986 and another three in 1990.

Spain’s run boosts Simón’s tally

Simón’s rise in the rankings has been driven by Spain’s impressive 2026 World Cup campaign.

The goalkeeper has kept six clean sheets in seven matches at this tournament, adding to the two he recorded during the 2022 World Cup.

Spain booked their place in the final after defeating France 2-0 in the semi-finals, with Simón conceding only four goals in his 11 World Cup appearances.

His goals-conceded average of 0.36 per game is the best among the goalkeepers in FIFA’s top tier of the World Cup clean-sheet record rankings.

All-time World Cup clean-sheet rankings

Behind the joint leaders, Simón shares third place with six other goalkeepers on eight clean sheets.

Brazil’s Alisson and Gilmar, Spain legend Iker Casillas, Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera and Germany’s Manuel Neuer are tied for 10th place with seven clean sheets each.

FIFA World Cup goalkeepers with the most clean sheets (updated after July 15, 2026):

• Fabien Barthez (France) – 10 clean sheets (17 appearances)
• Peter Shilton (England) – 10 clean sheets (17 appearances)
• Unai Simón (Spain) – 8 clean sheets (11 appearances)
• Jan Jongbloed (Netherlands) – 8 clean sheets (12 appearances)
• Emerson Leão (Brazil) – 8 clean sheets (14 appearances)
• Sepp Maier (West Germany) – 8 clean sheets (18 appearances)
• Taffarel (Brazil) – 8 clean sheets (18 appearances)
• Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) – 8 clean sheets (21 appearances)
• Hugo Lloris (France) – 8 clean sheets (20 appearances)
• Alisson (Brazil) – 7 clean sheets (14 appearances)
• Gilmar (Brazil) – 7 clean sheets (14 appearances)
• Iker Casillas (Spain) – 7 clean sheets (17 appearances)
• Fernando Muslera (Uruguay) – 7 clean sheets (19 appearances)
• Manuel Neuer (Germany) – 7 clean sheets (23 appearances)

FIFA groups goalkeepers with the same number of clean sheets in joint positions, placing Barthez and Shilton jointly first, Simón and six others jointly third, and Alisson through Neuer jointly 10th in the World Cup clean-sheet record rankings.