Van Bommel leaves Courtois out of first Belgium squad

Mark van Bommel has left out Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from his first Belgium squad after agreeing that he would miss the team’s four Nations League matches.

Belgium begin their campaign against Italy on 25 September, before facing France on 28 September, Turkey on 2 October and France again on 5 October.

Speaking at the news conference to announce his squad, Van Bommel said the door remained open for Courtois to return to international football. The manager also praised the goalkeeper’s current ability, describing him as “still world-class”.

The squad includes key figures Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, as well as young forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo.

Youri Tielemans will remain Belgium captain, while Van Bommel said he initially planned to use a 4-3-3 formation.

The manager confirmed he had spoken to Lukaku and met De Bruyne in Naples. He said both players were committed to helping Belgium on the pitch and in the dressing room, although he did not expect Lukaku to play the full 90 minutes in all four matches during the international break.

Axel Witsel is absent after announcing his retirement from international football, while Jeremy Doku misses out because of injury. Alexis Saelemaekers and Thomas Meunier were also not selected.

Van Bommel stressed that Saelemaekers’ omission did not mean he had been ruled out of future squads. He told Meunier that he currently preferred other options, but added that the defender’s international career was not over.

The former Netherlands midfielder took charge of Belgium on 15 August, succeeding Rudi Garcia. His first competitive assignment begins with a demanding sequence of fixtures as he attempts to rebuild the side while retaining experienced players and introducing a new generation.

Belgium squad

Goalkeepers: Senne Lammens, Mike Penders, Maarten Vandevoordt, Jari De Busser.

Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Maxim De Cuyper, Zeno Debast, Koni De Winter, Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Keryan Sabbe, Joaquin Seys, Arthur Theate.

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Mandela Keita, Romeo Lavia, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken.

Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere, Malick Fofana, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Mika Godts, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira, Lois Openda, Leandro Trossard.