France Football kicked off its goalkeeper award nominations on Tuesday, naming five contenders for the 2026 Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year alongside a men’s shortlist that spotlights strong African representation.
Ann-Katrin Berger, Cata Coll, Hannah Hampton, Lorena, and Ayaka Yamashita earned nods for the women’s prize, each recognized for standout performances between August 2025 and July 2026.
The shortlist draws from clubs and countries across three continents, reflecting the growing depth of talent between the posts in the women’s game.
On the men’s side, three African goalkeepers broke into the 10-man field for the Yashin Trophy, underscoring the continent’s rising influence in the position.
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Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, playing for Al Hilal, joined Senegal’s Édouard Mendy of Al Ahli and Cape Verde’s Vozinha of Colo-Colo on the list, announced alongside the women’s nominations.
Vozinha’s inclusion followed a breakout World Cup campaign that transformed him from a relative unknown into one of the tournament’s most talked-about figures.
The 40-year-old produced a string of standout saves against eventual champions Spain and finalists Argentina, helping Cape Verde hold Spain scoreless and push Argentina into extra time in the Round of 32 before the West Africans fell 3-2.
Fans rewarded his performances by voting him into FIFA’s Dream Team, and his social media following exploded from under 50,000 before the tournament to nearly 29 million afterward. Vozinha entered the World Cup without a club but signed with Chilean giants Colo-Colo weeks later.
Bounou continued building on an already decorated career, earning recognition for consistent performances with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia and for his ongoing contributions to Morocco’s Atlas Lions. The shot-stopper has previously claimed CAF honors and remains one of Africa’s most reliable goalkeepers.
Mendy rounded out the African contingent, drawing on his reputation as one of the continent’s most accomplished glovemen following his earlier success with Chelsea and Senegal.
The trio joins a stacked men’s field that includes Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid, David Raya of Arsenal, Joan García of Barcelona, Unai Simón of Athletic Club, Gregor Kobel of Borussia Dortmund, Emiliano Martínez, and Matvey Safonov.
