Cristiano Ronaldo has escaped missing next year’s World Cup despite receiving the first red card of his Portugal career. FIFA issued a three-match ban, but two games are suspended for a one-year probation, meaning Ronaldo remains eligible for Portugal’s first two matches at the 2026 World Cup.
The 40-year-old was sent off for elbowing Ireland’s Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2–0 loss on Nov. 13. The incident was upgraded from a yellow to red after VAR review.
FIFA warned that if Ronaldo commits a similar offence within the next year, the two suspended matches will be added immediately, on top of any new punishment.
Ronaldo has already served the first match of the ban against Armenia on Nov. 16. This was the first red card in his record 226 appearances for Portugal, as he aims to play in his sixth World Cup next summer.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said the decision was harsh, calling Ronaldo “a captain who always cares about the team.”
