Cristiano Ronaldo will avoid missing any of Portugal’s games at the 2026 World Cup despite a red card in a qualifying game for elbowing a Republic of Ireland opponent.
FIFA published a disciplinary decision on Tuesday that imposed a three-match ban, judging Ronaldo’s actions as “violent conduct” or “serious foul play”, but suspended two of those games for a one-year probationary period.
Ronaldo was handed a mandatory one-game ban when Portugal played their final qualifying game last week – a 9-1 win over Armenia that secured their spot at the World Cup in North America.
The superstar was expected to be banned for at least one more game and start his record sixth World Cup on the sidelines.
FIFA cited its disciplinary rules that allow parts of a sanction to be kept probationary, although it is rare for two of them to be suspended in cases of a three-match ban.
In two cases decided by FIFA this month, players from Armenia and Burundi were banned for three games and neither had their probation cut short after receiving red cards for acts of aggression in World Cup qualifying games.
“If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another violation of similar nature and severity during the probationary period, the remaining two games will be activated,” FIFA said in a statement.
FIFA has disciplinary authority over national-team games and Portugal are scheduled to play two friendly matches in March, followed by one or two practice matches in late May or June. The World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will begin on June 11.
Ronaldo swung his arm and delivered an elbow to Ireland defender Darra O’Shea during the 2-0 defeat in Dublin two weeks ago.
It was Ronaldo’s first red card in what was his record-extending 226th international appearance. He has been sent off 13 times at club level.
FIFA said its disciplinary decision “a three-match suspension is subject to appeal before the FIFA Appeals Committee.”
It was unclear who might have the legal standing to challenge the decision, and whether that might be the Football Federation of Ireland or Portugal’s World Cup rivals.
FIFA’s decision comes six days after Ronaldo met US President Donald Trump at the White House for a formal dinner with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Ronaldo has played for three years in the Saudi Pro League for the club, which is majority owned by the Saudi sovereign and is headed by the prince.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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