Cristiano Ronaldo escaped further punishment for Portugal’s violent conduct at the 2026 World Cup after receiving a red card against the Republic of Ireland.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee has imposed a three-match ban, but suspended the final two matches, barring Ronaldo from Portugal’s opening game at next summer’s World Cup provided there is no similar offense during a one-year probationary period.
The 40-year-old forward was sent off for the first time in his 226-game Portugal career after elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during the 2-0 defeat in Dublin on November 13.
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Ronaldo has already served his suspension in Portugal’s last World Cup qualifier against Armenia.
FIFA’s disciplinary code states that players may face extended suspensions for “at least three matches or a period of time appropriate for assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or striking an opponent”.
And a FIFA statement read: “If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another offense of a similar nature and severity during the probationary period, the suspension contained in the disciplinary decision shall be automatically deemed lifted and the remaining two matches shall be played immediately.”
FIFA’s decision to suspend the final two games of a three-match suspension comes just six days after Ronaldo met US President Donald Trump at a White House dinner for Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also present at the White House dinner.
That means Ronaldo could become the first player in history to play in six World Cups, a milestone that Argentina’s 2022 champion Lionel Messi could also set at tournaments in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Ronaldo has confirmed that this World Cup will be his last before retiring. “Definitely yes, because I will be 41,” Ronaldo said in an interview with CNN earlier this month. I left everything for football. I have been in this game for the past 25 years. Whatever I did, I have many records in different scenarios in clubs and also in national teams.
“I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.”
