Cristiano Ronaldo has received the green light to feature in Portugal’s first match at next summer’s World Cup, despite his recent dismissal.
The 40-year-old forward was shown a straight red during a tense qualifier against the Republic of Ireland, yet disciplinary leniency has kept him available. Officials reviewed the incident and settled on a softer sanction after considering his exceptional record.
The sending-off came after Ronaldo caught Dara O’Shea with an elbow during Portugal’s 2-0 defeat earlier this month. Although the action was deemed violent, regulators opted against the usual three-match punishment. They instead suspended the final two matches of that ban, placing them under a one-year probation period.
Authorities agreed that Ronaldo’s first red card in 226 international outings significantly influenced the ruling. His long-standing reputation for discipline strengthened his case during the review.
Therefore, the forward avoided further immediate consequences beyond the mandatory single-game absence.
Ruling eases fears as Portugal shift focus to the world stage
Ronaldo has already served that one-match suspension in Portugal’s clash with Armenia on 16 November. Because of this, he will travel to the United States fully eligible for the tournament’s opening fixture. The decision has now eased concerns among fans who feared a longer absence for their star player.
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Fifa issued a warning alongside its judgment, stressing the importance of Ronaldo’s conduct moving forward. The football governing body confirmed that any similar offence during the probation period would activate the remaining ban. That means the two suspended matches would be enforced instantly without additional hearings.
Ronaldo played a vital role throughout qualifying as Portugal surged to the top of Group F. The veteran attacker contributed five goals to help his nation secure a seventh straight World Cup appearance. His consistency again proved indispensable during a campaign filled with pressure.
Attention now shifts to the global stage, where 48 competing nations will learn their group assignments. The World Cup draw takes place on Friday, 5 December, and anticipation continues to build. Portugal will watch closely as they prepare for another ambitious run with Ronaldo leading the line.
Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo, 2026 World Cup, Portugal, Dara O’Shea, Republic of Ireland, red card.
