Thibaut Courtois Returns to Belgium Squad After Resolving Dispute
Courtois reconciles with teammates and new coach Rudi Garcia ahead of a pivotal Nations League play-off against Ukraine.
- Thibaut Courtois rejoined the Belgium national team after a 21-month absence, addressing his fallout with former coach Domenico Tedesco.
- The goalkeeper admitted to mistakes during his absence, citing mental struggles and a challenging 2023 season with injuries.
- Courtois expressed relief after explaining his side of the dispute to teammates, which midfielder Youri Tielemans said helped clear the air within the squad.
- Belgium's new coach, Rudi Garcia, has been tasked with stabilizing the team and avoiding Nations League relegation, following recent struggles and key player retirements.
- Courtois is set to play in Thursday's Nations League relegation play-off against Ukraine, marking a significant step in Belgium's efforts to rebuild for the 2026 World Cup.