Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to play in the first matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after FIFA issued him a partially “suspended” punishment following a red card.
The 40-year-old was sent off for elbowing Dara O’Shea in the back in Portugal’s 2-0 loss in Dublin earlier in November, his first dismissal in 226 international appearances.
FIFA banned Ronaldo for three matches, two of which will be suspended and one of which has already been played, when Portugal qualified for next summer’s tournament against Armenia.
“In accordance with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the two remaining matches has been suspended for a one-year probation period,” FIFA stated in a statement to AFP.
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“If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately at the next official (Portugal) matches.” According To Thesoulthafrican.
Ronaldo, the men’s all-time leading goalscorer in international football with 143 goals, hopes to compete in his sixth World Cup next summer in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker, currently at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has not yet raised the title but did win Euro 2016 with Portugal.
Ronaldo met US President Donald Trump at a White House dinner this week, where he was told that his son Barron “is a big fan” of the forward.
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