Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for Portugal’s first match at the 2026 World Cup after avoiding a full suspension following his red card against the Republic of Ireland.
The 40-year-old forward was dismissed for elbowing Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2″“0 qualifying defeat earlier this month. Violent conduct typically carries a three-match ban, but FIFA has suspended the second and third matches for a year, placing Ronaldo under a probationary period.
BBC Sport reports that the disciplinary panel considered his exemplary record at the international level, with this being his first red card in 226 appearances for Portugal. Ronaldo has already served the first match of the ban by missing Portugal’s game against Armenia on 16 November, meaning he will not sit out any fixtures at the World Cup in the United States.
FIFA warned that any similar offence within the next 12 months would see the remaining two matches of the suspension enforced immediately.
Ronaldo scored five goals during qualifying as Portugal topped Group F to secure their seventh straight World Cup appearance. The 48 qualified nations will discover their groups at the draw on Friday, 5 December.
