Thibaut Courtois will not play for Belgium in the Nations League. The Real Madrid goalkeeper stepped aside on 9 September after meeting new head coach Mark van Bommel in Madrid, where he was told his place as the country’s number one was not guaranteed on his return.

“I have made the choice not to play the entire Nations League campaign with the Red Devils,” Courtois told Het Laatste Nieuws.

He plans to be available again for the Euro 2028 qualifiers next year, and left only a narrow exception if Van Bommel runs into an injury crisis in goal.

Van Bommel: whoever plays keeps the shirt

Van Bommel took charge on 15 August, signing a two-year contract that runs through Euro 2028 after a spell at Royal Antwerp. In the Madrid meeting he made clear that Courtois would have to earn the shirt back like anyone else.

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“He replied that he cannot guarantee me a starting place then,” Courtois said of Van Bommel’s answer when he asked about his role on returning.

The stand-off has been building since the summer. When Van Bommel’s appointment was announced, Courtois called him “a top coach” but already floated the idea of stepping out of the September window.

“I would like to have some rest during the Nations League, and we’ll have to try to reach an agreement on that,” he told beIN Sports in July.

Netherlands-Germany headlines opening night

The tournament begins on Thursday 24 September with four League A ties. Netherlands host Germany in Amsterdam, Serbia welcome newly promoted Greece in Belgrade, Norway face Denmark in Oslo, and Portugal take on Wales in Lisbon. Kick-off is 8:45pm local time in Amsterdam, Belgrade and Oslo, and 7:45pm local time in Lisbon, per the fixtures released by UEFA.

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Italy vs Belgium follows on Friday 25 September in Group A1, the toughest possible opener for Van Bommel’s first squad, whichever goalkeeper he picks. France travel to Türkiye the same evening.

England open their campaign on Saturday 26 September at Wembley against the reigning world champions, Spain. Kick-off is 7:45pm local time, confirmed by the FA. Thomas Tuchel’s side are in Group A3 with Spain, Croatia and Czechia.

Belgium-France in Brussels tops matchday 2

The window folds straight into matchday 2. Belgium host France at the King Baudouin Stadium on Monday 28 September, the tie most likely to decide Group A1. England travel to Prague the day after to face Czechia.

Group winners in League A advance to the quarter-finals in March, with runners-up entering promotion/relegation play-offs against sides from League B. Greece return to the top tier after promotion from League B in the last cycle.

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