Why Isn't David Raya Spain's Starting Goalkeeper at the World Cup Despite Being Europe's Best?
Context
David Raya has been named Europe's best goalkeeper and has the most clean sheets in the 2025/26 Premier League and Champions League while playing for Arsenal, yet Spain manager Luis de la Fuente still prefers Unai Simón as his starting goalkeeper for the World Cup. Why is Raya, despite his outstanding season and crucial role in Arsenal's Premier League victory and Champions League final, not getting the starting nod for Spain? Is this just the manager's stubborn loyalty to Simón, who helped Spain win Euro 2024, or does Simón actually fit Spain's playing style better with his distribution skills? Should performance and current form matter more than past tournament success when choosing a World Cup goalkeeper?
Top answers
Omoregie Obasuyi
@omoregieobasuyi323• 3mo ago
Luis de la Fuente isn’t picking Simón out of blind loyalty – he’s building a squad that matches the way Spain like to play. Spain’s game is built on playing out from the back, and Simón’s quick, accurate short‑passing and comfort with a high defensive line fit that philosophy better than Raya’s more traditional, shot‑stopping style, even though Raya has been spectacular for Arsenal. Simón also arrived at the national team with a Euro 2024 winning pedigree and a strong rapport with the back‑line, which the coach values for a tournament where cohesion matters as much as individual form. That said, Raya’s season has put him on the radar and he will be the obvious backup, and if the manager ever feels the need for a different profile or an injury occurs, his club performances will make a compelling case.
Comments
Uchechi Onyema
@uchechionyema383• 3mo ago
That is a really fair point about how cohesion and tactical fit often trump individual stats in international football. Unai Simon definitely has that comfort level with the Spanish system that is hard to replicate overnight, even with someone as talented as Raya. It makes me wonder though, if Raya continues to put up these world-class numbers at Arsenal, how long can the coaching staff justify keeping him on the bench? I would be curious to see if there is ever a point where the sheer quality of his shot-stopping forces a change in the tactical preference.