World Cup: David Raya Could Be Playing For England Instead of Spain

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His passion for sports extends further than football, as he has covered several sports for GMS, including Boxing, Tennis, and Wrestling. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account David Raya is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in world football after yet another impressive season for Arsenal. However, the Spaniard still can't force his way into his national team's starting XI.

He kept a remarkable 19 clean sheets in the 2025-26 Premier League season as the Gunners lifted the trophy for the first time in over 20 years. Raya scooped his third successive Golden Glove award in the process.

This might tempt a few more players into shooting from distance.

Yet he is still firmly behind Unai Simon in the pecking order when it comes to Spain. At the 2026 World Cup, Luis de la Fuente has stayed loyal to the Athletic Club shot-stopper, despite calls for Raya and Joan Garcia to be given a chance.

Spain's goal was largely unthreatened in the goalless draw against Cape Verde and the demolition of Saudi Arabia in the opening two fixtures. Simon is yet to be placed under the microscope, but the concern will be against stronger opposition.

However, he was the goalkeeper for the European Championship success just two years ago, and De la Fuente doesn't look like he wants to make a change. The manager did mention the Arsenal star when the conversation was turned towards Simon vs Garcia, saying: "Why aren’t we talking about David Raya? It’s unbelievable. It’s terrifying."

Asked if he had perhaps been forgotten due to spending 14 years in England, Raya replied: "Maybe so, maybe not. It’s natural with Joan and Unai being in Spain. I’ve been away a very long time. I remember the first time I came to seleccion, people asked who I was."

Back in 2022, when he received his first call-up to the international squad, there were headlines in Spain asking: "Who is Raya?" After leaving Brentford for Arsenal, he has become a more well-known name in world football.

The goalkeeper has spent his entire senior career in England, and could have pulled on the Three Lions' shirt if he wanted. Despite moving to Blackburn Rovers when he was just 17 years old, Raya claimed the thought 'never crossed his mind'.

"The idea never crossed my mind,” he told The Guardian. "I always wanted to play for Spain and never thought about [England]: I wouldn’t have felt it, I would have felt an outsider. However long I was in England, I feel Spanish."

There's certainly an argument that Jordan Pickford has been too impressive for his country to drop, but Raya is considered a better goalkeeper in general. It would certainly have been interesting to see who Thomas Tuchel would pick between the sticks had Raya been keen on rivalling Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 21-06-26.