Thibaut Courtois Faces Injury Doubt Ahead Of Belgium's World Cup Qualifiers

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Thibaut Courtois is facing uncertainty over his participation in Belgium's World Cup qualifiers due to a back injury. Real Madrid has revealed that he is suffering from sacroiliitis, which involves inflammation in the joints linking the lower spine to the pelvis. This condition results in discomfort and stiffness in the lower back and hips.

Courtois' recovery is expected to take about a week, during which he will need rest and treatment. Consequently, it seems unlikely that he will play against North Macedonia on Friday or Wales on the following Monday. However, he should be fit for Real Madrid's Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal on June 18.

During the 2024-25 season, Courtois played 47 matches for Real Madrid across all competitions. He managed to keep 15 clean sheets and achieved a save percentage of 72.1%. Out of 197 shots on target, he successfully saved 143.

Courtois returned to Belgium's national team setup in March after Rudi Garcia took charge. He made his first appearance in nearly two years during their 3-1 loss to Ukraine on March 20. Despite his current injury, no replacement has been named for the 33-year-old goalkeeper in Garcia's squad for the upcoming qualifiers.

The absence of Courtois could impact Belgium's defensive strategies as they prepare for crucial matches without their experienced goalkeeper. His recent performances have been vital for both club and country, making his potential absence significant.