The top goalkeeper news stories from March 15th to March 22nd 2026.
Five goalkeepers picked for England Squad
Thomas Tuchel has picked his 35-man squad for England’s upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. The squad includes five goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford, and Jason Steele. Questions have been raised as to why Jason Steele, of Brighton, has been picked for the squad despite only playing ten league games in two seasons.
When asked about the choice, Tuchel explained that ‘Jason is a bit of a particular one because we’re planning to take four goalkeepers to the World Cup and the fourth goalkeeper then has a special role. The three goalkeepers will compete and support each other for the matches, but they will also compete for a place in goal.
'The fourth goalkeeper in a World Cup is then a specialist. He will support the goalkeeper group, he will support the goalkeeper coach, he will support a penalty-taking group and take a lot of workload off the other shoulders and that’s why we need an experienced guy. We need a guy with quality, with experience and with the right energy and attitude and we believe that Jason is this guy, so this is kind of a trial to find out how this group works together for the World Cup.’
Tottenham goalkeeper set for surgery
Guglielmo Vicario is set to undergo hernia surgery. Vicario was available for Tottenham’s game against Nottingham Forest on the weekend, but won’t be attending international duty with the Italy squad. Tottenham have stated that ‘Guglielmo will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately, and it is hoped that he could return to action within the next month.’
The procedure has been timed to have minimal effect on Tottenham’s season. If Vicario was to miss any games after international duty, the two options between the sticks would be Antonin Kinsky and Brandon Austin.
Alisson faces another injury setback
Liverpool’s Alisson has been dealt another injury blow. The Brazilian was selected in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for upcoming friendlies, but he has been removed since the injury news - but the injury itself is unspecified. Alisson has now missed over 70 games for Liverpool due to injury and Giorgi Mamardashvili was called into action for the Reds most recent game against Brighton. In his post-match press conference after the Brighton loss, Slot said: "Alisson will definitely be out during the international break and let's see afterwards.
Alisson and Raya keep clean sheets in the Champions League
Midweek, six English sides played in the Champions League with the dream of making the final eight of the competition. Only two of the six teams progressed - Arsenal and Liverpool - as they both won their second legs and kept a clean sheet. Liverpool are now set to face PSG in the quarter finals and Arsenal will play Portuguese giants, Sporting Lisbon. Could we see an all-English final and how much of a say will their goalkeepers have on the matter?
Trafford becomes youngest League Cup finalist goalkeeper in nearly 50 years
And, a bit of trivia to end this weeks' TWIG. In his and Manchester City's League Cup triumph on Sunday afternoon, James Trafford became the youngest English goalkeeper to start in a League Cup final at Wembley since Chris Woods for Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool in 1978. Trafford was 23 years and 163 days old on Sunday, with Woods 18 years and 124 days back in '78.
