Belgium’s national team will likely be without veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches after Madrid confirmed a muscle injury. The 33‑year‑old was diagnosed with a long adductor muscle strain in his right leg following medical tests at his club. The exact recovery time has not been specified, though the club noted that injury assessments remain ongoing.

This setback comes at a critical moment for Belgium, who currently lead Group J and face matches against Kazakhstan national football team in Astana and Liechtenstein national football team at home on 18 November. A win in Kazakhstan would secure their direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

Furthermore, Belgium had already been missing key midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who is sidelined with a thigh muscle lesion and expected to be out for several months. The combination of both absences increases pressure on coach Rudi Garcia and his squad as they aim to maintain their top‑spot position ahead of knockout‑style playoffs.

⚠️ Impact on Belgium’s Squad and Strategy

Losing Courtois is more than just a personnel issue; it impacts Belgium’s defensive stability and leadership in goal. Courtois recently returned to the national team after a 21‑month absence that stemmed from a fallout with previous coach Domenico Tedesco and subsequent selection hiatus.

His experience—including 107 caps for Belgium—and status as Real Madrid’s number one goalkeeper gives him a commanding presence. Without him, Belgium will likely rely on backups such as Matz Sels and Senne Lammens, which raises questions about coordination and pressure in high‑stakes fixtures.

Belgium’s coach will need to adjust tactics and perhaps adopt a more conservative defensive line as they face direct qualification scenarios. The team’s ability to cope with disruption will be tested. Additionally, the absence of De Bruyne complicates matters further, removing a key creative force from midfield combinations.

Despite the setbacks, Belgium enter their qualifiers with a chance to secure direct World Cup entry. The squad must demonstrate resilience and depth to cope with high expectations. Supporters and analysts alike will be watching whether Belgium’s next‑gen players can step up under major pressure.