%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
One of the most baffling decisions from any manager of any national team at the World Cup is Luis de la Fuente's choice of goalkeeper for Spain. In his squad, he has Barcelona's first-choice Joan García as well as David Raya, a man who has just picked up a third successive Premier League golden glove. It is not just Arsenal supporters who would agree that Raya is the division's best shot-stopper, now considered to be among the very best in the world.
However, both he and García watched from the sidelines as the European champions were embarrassingly held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday. Well, this trend is likely to continue throughout the tournament, with de la Fuente favouring Unai Simón.
To date, since arriving from Brentford three years ago, Raya has made 147 appearances for Arsenal, starting 85 successive Premier League matches before Kepa Arrizabalaga was given a run out for the final day dead-rubber at Selhurst. Despite this, he has earned a miserly 13 caps for Spain.
List of David Raya's Spain appearances
Date | Scoreline | Competition | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
March 2022 | Spain 2-1 Albania | Friendly | Full 90 |
November 2022 | Jordan 1-3 Spain | Friendly | Second 45 |
November 2023 | Cyprus 1-3 Spain | Euro qualifier | Full 90 |
March 2024 | Colombia 1-0 Spain | Friendly | First 45 |
June 2024 | Spain 5-0 Andorra | Friendly | Full 90 |
June 2024 | Albania 0-1 Spain | Euro 2024 | Full 90 |
September 2024 | Serbia 0-0 Spain | Nations League | Full 90 |
September 2024 | Switzerland 1-4 Spain | Nations League | Full 90 |
October 2024 | Spain 1-0 Denmark | Nations League | Full 90 |
October 2024 | Serbia 3-0 Serbia | Nations League | Full 90 |
November 2024 | Denmark 1-2 Spain | Nations League | Full 90 |
March 2026 | Spain 0-0 Egypt | Friendly | First 62 |
June 2026 | Peru 1-3 Spain | Friendly | Second 45 |
Amazingly, since his debut against Albania in March 2022, Raya has featured in only 13 of 55 Spain matches, with six of his appearances coming in friendlies. When Simón was injured, he enjoyed an extended run in the side in the UEFA Nations League during the autumn of 2024 but, as soon as the Athletic Club goalkeeper was fit again, he was straight back in.
So why is this? Well, put succinctly, de la Fuenta has decided Simón is his man and is remaining loyal. Many years ago, the justification was that Simón is better in possession with the ball at his feet, but anyone who has seen Raya play for Arsenal knows this is far from a weakness of his. So, let's analyse how Spain's three goalkeeper options performed at club level last season.
Spain's goalkeeper options comparison 2025/26
Statstics | Simón | Raya | García |
|---|---|---|---|
Minutes | 4,140 | 4,620 | 4,041 |
Save % | 63.5% | 76.8% | 74.5% |
Goals conceded | 73 | 31 | 42 |
Clean sheet % | 17.4% | 54.9% | 40% |
Passing accuracy % | 57.97% | 65.01% | 89.72% |
Long pass accuracy % | 35.92% | 34.39% | 50.88% |
Note: Statistics courtesy of Squawka and FBref.
The statistics do not make for good reading from Simón's point of view. When compared to the other two goalkeepers in the Spain squad, he does not come out on top for any of the statistics. Raya conceded only 31 goals in 51 appearances across the Premier League and Champions League, less than half the number the Athletic Club goalkeeper let in.
Meantime, Raya had the best save percentage, while it was García who boasted the best passing numbers, dispelling the myth that Simón is superior with the ball at his feet. So, to answer the question why Raya doesn't start for Spain... manager's preference. Stubbornness. Single-mindedness. Take your pick. Both Barça and Arsenal fans can unite in their bemusement that their respective goalkeepers are going to be spending the summer warming various benches across America as long as Spain are involved in this World Cup.
Add us as a preferred source on Google