The number 26 shirt might not be the most iconic in world football, but it has quietly built a reputation for being worn by some of the game’s most reliable and influential players.
While stars like John Terry at Chelsea and Riyad Mahrez at Manchester City helped give the number 26 a place in football history, today a new generation of talents is making the shirt their own across Europe’s top clubs.
Now experienced leaders and exciting young prospects are among the current crop of number 26s are leaving their mark on the game in their own unique ways.
Here’s a look at the soccer players wearing number 26 for some of the biggest teams in the 2025/26 season.
1. Chris Richards (Crystal Palace)
Christopher Richards is an American center-back who plays for Crystal Palace and the US national team. He is number 26 at Crystal Palace.
He started his career at Bayern Munich, including loan spells at Hoffenheim, before moving to Crystal Palace in 2022 for €12 million.
Richards quickly became a key player, helping Palace win their first-ever FA Cup in 2025 and earn a spot in European competition.
He stood out in the final with a solid defensive performance and was the only Palace player to play every minute of the cup run.
Richards also made history as just the second American to win the FA Cup, after Tim Howard.
2. Carlos Forbs (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Portuguese winger Carlos Forbs wears the number 26 for Wolverhampton after joining the club on loan from Ajax in 2024.
Known for his pace and dribbling skills, Forbs has shown flashes of brilliance since breaking into the Ajax first team.
He inherited the number from Hee-chan Hwang, who switched to a different squad number, and hopes to continue developing as a promising young talent in Wolves’ attack.
Forbs recently scored his first Premier League goal and has quickly become a fan favorite at Molineux, with his direct play and creativity providing a new dimension to Wolves’ forward line.
3. Andy Robertson (Liverpool FC)
Scottish left-back Andy Robertson has worn the number 26 for Liverpool since his arrival from Hull City in 2017.
He inherited the number from Tiago Ilori.
Robertson has been a key part of Liverpool’s successes under Jürgen Klopp, offering relentless energy, pinpoint crossing, and defensive solidity.
Over the years, he has become one of the best left-backs in world football and recently surpassed 300 appearances for Liverpool, continuing to provide assists and leadership as vice-captain.
4. Savinho (Manchester City)
Brazilian winger Savinho wears the number 26 for Manchester City after joining the club in 2024, following his exploits at Girona.
Savinho, a product of Atlético Mineiro, has quickly gained attention for his technical skills and flair.
The number 26 was previously worn by Riyad Mahrez before his departure from the club.
Savinho has already made his Champions League debut for City and is seen as one of Pep Guardiola’s most promising young attacking options, featuring regularly in both Premier League and European matches this season.
5. Enes Ünal (Bournemouth)
Turkish striker Enes Ünal wears the number 26 for Bournemouth after his move to the club in 2024.
Ünal, a physical forward known for his hold-up play and aerial presence, took the number after joining from Getafe.
The number was previously worn by Gavin Kilkenny, and Ünal is expected to bring a new dimension to Bournemouth’s attack with his clinical finishing and strength.
He has already scored decisive goals in the opening weeks of the Premier League and is quickly adapting to English football.
6. Lesley Ugochukwu (Southampton)
French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu wears the number 26 for Southampton following his move from Chelsea in 2024.
Ugochukwu is a powerful box-to-box midfielder known for his physicality and ball-winning abilities.
The number 26 was last worn by Ryan Fraser, who switched numbers before Ugochukwu’s arrival.
He has played a key role in Southampton’s strong start to their Premier League return, impressing with his tackling and distribution in midfield.
7. Ander Astralaga (FC Barcelona)
Young goalkeeper Ander Astralaga wears the number 26 for Barcelona.
Promoted from La Masia in 2024, Astralaga inherited the number from fellow reserve goalkeeper Inaki Pena, who switched to 13.
Known for his impressive reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, Astralaga is being groomed as a potential successor to Marc-André ter Stegen in the coming years.
Astralaga has already kept a clean sheet in his first Copa del Rey appearance and is highly regarded by Barcelona’s coaching staff.
8. Douglas Luiz (Juventus FC)
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz wears the number 26 for Juventus, a number he inherited from Carlos Alcaraz in 2024.
Luiz joined Juve from Aston Villa and is known for his range of passing, defensive awareness, and box-to-box energy.
He is expected to play a key role in Juventus’ midfield as they continue to rebuild and aim for European success.
Luiz has already scored and assisted in his first few Serie A matches, quickly becoming a fan favorite in Turin.
9. Cyril Ngonge (SSC Napoli)
Belgian forward Cyril Ngonge wears the number 26 for Napoli following his transfer from Hellas Verona in 2024.
Known for his versatility in attack, Ngonge can play across the front line and offers pace and technical ability.
He inherited the number from Kalidou Koulibaly, who left Napoli in 2022, and is expected to bring a new dynamic to Napoli’s offensive options.
Ngonge recently scored a brace in a Europa League match and has quickly become a regular starter for Napoli.
10. Samuel Dahl (AS Roma)
Norwegian defender Samuel Dahl wears the number 26 for AS Roma.
He joined the club from Molde in 2024 and is known for his strong defensive abilities and versatility across the backline.
Dahl inherited the number from Rick Karsdorp.
He has already made his Serie A debut and is being rotated in both domestic and European competitions as Roma manage a busy schedule.
11. Sven Ulreich (Bayern Munich)
Veteran goalkeeper Sven Ulreich has worn the number 26 for Bayern Munich since joining the club in 2015.
Ulreich, who initially inherited the number from Diego Contento, has been an experienced backup to Manuel Neuer.
His experience and leadership are crucial to the squad, especially in high-stakes matches.
Ulreich started several Bundesliga matches this season due to Neuer’s injury and kept two clean sheets, proving his reliability once again.
12. Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund)
Norwegian defender Julian Ryerson wears the number 26 for Borussia Dortmund after joining the club from Union Berlin in 2023.
Ryerson, a versatile defender capable of playing as a full-back or center-back, inherited the number from former player Łukasz Piszczek.
Ryerson is known for his work rate and defensive reliability, making him a valuable asset in Dortmund’s backline.
He recently scored a dramatic late winner in the Bundesliga and has been a regular feature in both league and Champions League matches.
13. Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig)
Belgian goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, considered one of Europe’s most promising young shot-stoppers, wears the number 26 for RB Leipzig.
He joined the club in 2024 from Genk and inherited the number from Ilaix Moriba.
Vandevoordt is expected to compete for the starting spot in goal as Leipzig builds for the future.
He has already made his Bundesliga debut and is in a close battle with Peter Gulacsi for the number one shirt.
14. Lamare Bogarde (Aston Villa)
Dutch midfielder Lamare Bogarde wears the number 26 for Aston Villa, a number previously worn by Emiliano Martinez.
Bogarde, known for his composure on the ball and his versatility, broke into the first team in 2024 after progressing through Villa’s academy.
He is seen as one of the club’s brightest young prospects.
Bogarde has already started in both Premier League and Conference League matches this season, earning praise for his maturity and tactical awareness.
15. Max Kilman (West Ham United)
English center-back Max Kilman wears the number 26 for West Ham United after joining the club in 2024 from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Kilman inherited the number from Arthur Masuaku, who left the club in 2022.
Known for his strong defensive attributes and aerial ability, Kilman will be an important figure in West Ham’s defense as they compete domestically and in Europe.
He has immediately become a starter and helped West Ham record three clean sheets in their opening five league games, establishing himself as a defensive leader.
