Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was not there in the Belgium provisional squad for Euro 2024 announced by Domenico Tedesco.

New Delhi: Thibaut Courtois was the major missing as head coach Domenico Tedesco announced Belgium’s provisional squad for the Euro 2024 to be held in Germany on Tuesday. Thus Belgium become the fifth team after European giants Italy, Germany, England and Spain to release their provisional squad. Although the reason for leaving out Courtois is not yet known, it is believed that he has just recovered a few days back from an ACL injury and has not attained match fitness.

Apart from Courtois another notable omission has been Fenerbahce’s Michi Batshuayi. Tedesco would look to start things afresh after Belgium failed to win any silverware under Roberto Martinez with the so-called golden generation of players they had.

The squad was quite predictable with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Thomas Meunier, Alex Witsel, Romelu Lukaku making the cut. Manchester City star Jeremy Doku has also been named in the squad. But Tedesco said Witsel’s recent showings with Atletico Madrid convinced him the 35-year-old midfielder was the right choice.

“I have the best feelings with Axel,” Tedesco said. Tedesco said Courtois was not ready for Euro 2024, which starts on June 14 in Germany, after recently returning from injury. The men are at odds since a dispute last year, and Courtois announced in December he would miss the Euros.

Tedesco succeeded Roberto Martinez as Belgium manager in February 2023. He has yet to lose a game in charge of the Red Devils. Belgium will face Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine in Group E. Belgium’s best result at the continental tournament was runner-up in 1980.

Belgium Provisional Squad for EURO 2024

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels, Thomas Kaminski, Matz Sels

Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Maxim De Cuyper, Wout Faes, Thomas Meunier, Arthur Theate, Jan Vertonghen, Zeno Debast

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Orel Mangala, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Arthur Vermeeren, Axel Witsel, Aster Vranckx

Forwards: Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Romelu Lukaku, Yannick Carrasco, Johan Bakayoko, Charles De Ketelaere, Dodi Lukebakio, Lois Openda.

They would look to improve on their World Cup showing in Qatar where they exited a group consisting Croatia, Canada and Morcco.

They start their EURO 2024 campaign on 17 th June against Slovakia. They have been seeded in group E with Romania, Ukraine and Slovakia.