Predrag Rajković

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Predrag Rajković remains a prominent figure in the Serbian national football team's goalkeeping ranks as the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches. Having consistently featured for both his club and country, his prospects for the tournament are shaped by his ongoing performance and the competition within the squad.

Current Form and Club Performance:

Rajković, who is 30 years old as of October 2025, transferred from Mallorca to Al-Ittihad in 2024. He has been a regular starter for the Saudi Professional League club in both the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons, also participating in the AFC Champions League. His performance statistics for Al-Ittihad indicate consistent play, though specific details on his save percentage and goals conceded per match vary by season and competition. For instance, in the 2025/2026 Professional League season, he conceded 10 goals and kept 0 clean sheets in 6 matches, with a save percentage of 60%. In the 2024/2025 season, he recorded 7 clean sheets in 28 appearances in the Saudi Professional League. His recent club form includes a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Las Palmas and several matches where he conceded one or two goals.

National Team Standing and Competition:

Rajković has been an integral part of the Serbian national team, notably starting all three group stage matches at Euro 2024, where he conceded two goals and kept one clean sheet. He has continued to be called up for World Cup 2026 qualification matches, playing against England and Latvia in November 2025.

The competition for the starting goalkeeper spot for Serbia primarily involves Vanja Milinković-Savić, who is considered likely to remain the clear No. 1 choice. This position was further solidified by the decision of Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar to no longer represent the Serbian national team as of November 2025, opting instead to return to the Belgian national setup. Other goalkeepers who have been part of recent Serbian squads include Đorđe Petrović, Veljko Ilić, Luka Lijeskić, Vuk Draškić, Lazar Kaličanin, Aleksandar Jovanović, and Dragan Rosić.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Prospects:

Given his consistent club play and recent involvement in crucial international matches, Predrag Rajković is highly likely to be part of the Serbian squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. His experience and ongoing active status at a professional level keep him in strong contention. However, securing the starting role will depend on his continued strong performances for Al-Ittihad and his ability to outperform Vanja Milinković-Savić, who currently appears to be the preferred choice. The absence of Mile Svilar from the national team removes one strong competitor, but the overall depth of goalkeeping talent in Serbia means Rajković will need to maintain peak form to challenge for the number one shirt.