Thibaut Courtois: Egypt’s Team Strongest in Group, World Cup 2026 May Be My Last with Belgium

Thibaut Courtois, the goalkeeper for the Belgium national team, emphasized the challenges and significance of the upcoming match against Egypt as both teams kick off their campaigns in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The current edition of the tournament is being hosted by the United States in collaboration with Canada and Mexico, marking the first time in history that 48 teams will participate.

The World Cup matches are set to commence this Thursday evening at Estadio Azteca, starting with a match between Mexico and South Africa, as the tournament runs until July 19.

During a press conference, Courtois highlighted that a strong start in the tournament is crucial. He noted that the Belgian team aims to avoid a repeat of past scenarios where results declined after an initial victory.

He described facing Egypt as a significant test, acknowledging that the Egyptian team boasts impressive players and could be one of the strongest teams in their group, making a positive start essential.

The Belgian goalkeeper also spoke about Mohamed Salah, stating that he knows him well from their previous encounters. He labeled Salah as a top-class player and stressed the need for caution regarding him and Omar Marmoush, given Egypt’s strength in counter-attacks.

Courtois mentioned that he might not continue with the national team for much longer after this World Cup. He explained that factors like age and minor injuries might lead him to consider reducing his international appearances in the future, despite his desire to play as long as possible.

He concluded by noting that high temperatures could impact the pace of matches; however, this remains part of playing in summer tournaments, requiring all teams to adapt accordingly.

Egypt is placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand. They will begin their journey against Belgium on June 15 at 10 PM before facing New Zealand on June 22 at dawn and wrapping up their group stage matches against Iran on June 27.