By Tom Clark
The Golden Glove is awarded to the best goalkeeper at the World Cup, not simply the one who keeps the most clean sheets. Fifa's Technical Study Group considers the quality and importance of saves, command of the penalty area, distribution and overall influence throughout the tournament.
History provides a strong guide. Every Golden Glove winner since 1998 has played for a team that reached at least the semi-finals, while six of the last seven winners reached the final itself.
The award is also presented after the final, making it far more likely to go to a goalkeeper still involved in the tournament's closing weekend. With that in mind, the focus should be on goalkeepers representing nations with a realistic chance of reaching the last four rather than those expected to exit earlier in the competition.
Spain look one of the strongest candidates to reach the semi-finals and Simon could be perfectly positioned to capitalise. The Spaniards have been handed a favourable group and are unlikely to face sustained pressure in the opening phase of the tournament, giving their goalkeeper an excellent opportunity to build an early clean-sheet tally.
Spain's dominance of possession limits opponents' opportunities, while Simon's calm distribution and command of the defensive line make him a vital part of Luis de la Fuente's system.
The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper was outstanding during Spain's Euro 2024 triumph and with La Roja among the favourites to win the tournament and a relatively straightforward route through the group stage, Simon should have more opportunities than most rivals to produce the clean sheets and decisive moments that often define this award.
England are tipped for a deep run at the tournament and that immediately puts Pickford firmly in the Golden Glove conversation.
The Everton goalkeeper arrives with an exceptional international record, holding England's all-time mark for consecutive clean sheets after going more than 920 minutes without conceding.
That run included a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign, with Pickford keeping seven clean sheets in seven matches as the Three Lions cruised through qualification without dropping a point.
He is the undisputed number one and England are widely expected to be at least one of the last eight nations standing. If they are, Pickford's clean-sheet record, leadership and tournament experience make him an appealing option.
Other Contenders
Mike Maignan (France)
France are among the favourites to lift the trophy and Maignan remains one of the world's most complete goalkeepers. If Les Bleus reach the final, he will be firmly in contention.
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)
The defending Golden Glove winner was instrumental in Argentina's success in Qatar. However, no goalkeeper has successfully retained the award.
Diogo Costa (Portugal)
Costa has developed into one of Europe's elite goalkeepers and Portugal have the quality to make a deep run. His penalty-saving ability could prove decisive in the knockout rounds.
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
At 40, Neuer has come out of international retirement for one final World Cup. If Germany exceed expectations, the 2014 winner could become a sentimental choice for voters.