Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois was born on 11 May 1992 and plays as a goalkeeper for Real Madrid [1]. UEFA lists him at 199 cm, with the shirt number 1 [1]. The news about him in October 2026 concerns two things: Belgium and his contract. He said he is no longer in the Belgian players' WhatsApp group and that he is considering a return to the national team in November, while a renewal with Real Madrid is reported to be close [2] [6].

Build-up to the 2026 World Cup

Head coach Rudi Garcia unveiled Belgium's World Cup squad on 15 May 2026 [10]. Courtois had missed eight Real Madrid matches between March and April with a muscle injury, and he was named in the squad with Senne Lammens and Mike Penders as the other goalkeepers in the squad [10]. Belgium then beat the United States 4-1, and Courtois said the confidence was there [11].

The World Cup exit against Spain

Belgium lost the 2026 World Cup quarter-final 2-1 to Spain at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Friday 10 July [3] [5]. Before the match Courtois was frank about the balance of power. "Spain is a great team. I think they're one of the favourites to win it," he said. "So obviously we start as underdogs against them." He added: "I believe that we can win, with all respect" [8].

Courtois knows the Spanish game well. He spent eleven years at Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, and called Spain "my second home" [12]. He praised Lamine Yamal, saying "We know Lamine Yamal is incredibly talented in one-on-one situations" [12]. He pointed to Mikel Merino's 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the last 16, saying "I think the goal against Portugal highlights their strengths" [12] [11]. He also said that eliminating Spain "would obviously be a huge upset" [12]. Ahead of the match he said Belgium was "getting better and better", and acknowledged that people had been disappointed in the team [11].

Fabián Ruiz put Spain ahead in the 30th minute, and Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium in the 41st [3]. Courtois then went off. One report says he went down with an apparent leg injury in the 69th minute, during a hydration break, with the score level at 1-1. It says he initially seemed fit to carry on, but Belgium decided to bring on Senne Lammens in his place [4]. Another report puts the change in the 71st minute and describes him as injured [5]. The reports differ on the minute, so this page gives both. Mikel Merino scored the winner for Spain in the 88th minute [3].

Retirement talk before the tournament

Courtois raised the question of stopping before the World Cup. In an interview published on 12 June 2026 he said the chances were "greater that I won't continue after this tournament than that I will", and that his family was there because "this could be my last tournament" [7]. He linked the thinking to his body. "I've had more little physical problems and injuries, so you naturally think more about the future," he said. He also called a quadriceps injury unfortunate, because he had felt almost unbeatable before it [7]. He also said he felt fit and motivated [7].

In the same interview he pointed to the younger goalkeepers Senne Lammens and Mike Penders. "I'm considering passing the torch," he said [7]. By October he had changed his mind about retiring after the World Cup [2].

The WhatsApp group and a possible return

A report published on 21 October 2026 says Courtois told DAZN that he is no longer in the Belgian players' WhatsApp group [2]. He played down the exclusion. In his account the group is used mainly for practical information, such as training times, and he still keeps in touch with several of his teammates [2].

He has told the new head coach, Mark van Bommel, that he is willing to return to the national team in November [2]. He does not demand a guaranteed starting place. He said he would accept competition from Senne Lammens, Maarten Vandevoordt and Mike Penders [2]. Van Bommel has the final say, so a call-up has not been confirmed [2].

The Real Madrid contract

His current contract with Real Madrid runs to 30 June 2027 [2] [9]. During the World Cup campaign he said: "My goal is to finish my career at Real Madrid" [9].

The reported extension runs to 30 June 2028 [6]. In June the reports described it as agreed in principle, with a formal announcement expected after international commitments [9]. In September the next step was described as closing the agreement between the two parties, and the deal was not yet signed [6]. In October the renewal still had not been announced by the club [2]. Courtois said talks were ongoing and that the remaining details should be settled soon, though his agent and his father still have to coordinate the final terms [2].

The extension would also break a pattern at the club. The September report says the futures of veteran players at Madrid have usually been settled near the end of each season [6]. Courtois is 34, having turned 34 in May 2026 [1].

What is still unconfirmed

Three things remain reports rather than confirmed facts: his availability for Belgium in November, the length of the Real Madrid renewal, and the exact minute of his substitution against Spain. Readers should treat the first two as open until the clubs or the federation announce them.