Thibaut Courtois withdraws from Belgium squad for Nations League campaign
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 4:38 PM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has announced he will not participate in the upcoming Nations League matches for Belgium. The 34-year-old indicated he is stepping away from international duty for this campaign but remains available for Euro 2028 qualifying matches beginning in March 2027. This decision follows discussions with national team coach Mark van Bommel, who could not guarantee Courtois the starting goalkeeper position. Courtois stated he would only return for the Nations League if the squad faced an injury crisis. Currently, Van Bommel is evaluating other options for the No. 1 spot, including Senne Lammens and Mike Penders. Courtois aims to focus on his club career at Real Madrid while maintaining his fitness to compete for the national team starting role in the future.
- •Thibaut Courtois will skip the Nations League campaign including the Final Four.
- •The goalkeeper remains available for the Euro 2028 qualifying matches starting in March 2027.
- •Mark van Bommel declined to guarantee Courtois the starting No. 1 position.
- •Senne Lammens and Mike Penders are among the goalkeepers available for the national team.
- •The decision aims to help the 34-year-old extend his career at Real Madrid.
- 5:27 PMESPN Soccer — Madrid's Courtois to sit out Belgium's NL campaign
- 11:00 AMYahoo Sports — Courtois shakes up Belgium national team with huge announcement: ‘Not going to play any Nations League matches’
- 10:30 AMYahoo Sports — Courtois to put Belgium career on hold
"Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said in quotes published on Wednesday he has decided to put his Belgium career on standby until September 2027."If the goalkeeper playing in the Nations League performs well, Van Bommel might continue with him.
"Thibaut Courtois has confirmed that he will not play for Belgium during the upcoming Nations League campaign, including the Final Four. The Real Madrid goalkeeper is instead targeting a potential retu...
"Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not play for Belgium in the Nations League campaign but has not retired from international football.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerSep 9, 2026, 5:27 PMMadrid's Courtois to sit out Belgium's NL campaign
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not play for Belgium in the Nations League campaign but has not retired from international football.
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 11:00 AMCourtois shakes up Belgium national team with huge announcement: ‘Not going to play any Nations League matches’
Thibaut Courtois has confirmed that he will not play for Belgium during the upcoming Nations League campaign, including the Final Four. The Real Madrid goalkeeper is instead targeting a potential retu...
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 10:30 AMCourtois to put Belgium career on hold
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said in quotes published on Wednesday he has decided to put his Belgium career on standby until September 2027."If the goalkeeper playing in the Nations League performs well, Van Bommel might continue with him.
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