LISBON (Kashmir English): Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can play in the opening matches of the FIFA World Cup next year after the world football governing body gave him a partially “suspended” ban following a red card.
The 40-year-old was sent off the field as Portugal men’s national football team lost 2-0 to the Republic of Ireland on November 13 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match held at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The disciplinary decision came after he elbowed Dara O’Shea in the back, for his first dismissal in 226 international appearances.
FIFA banned Ronaldo for three matches, two of which will be suspended and the other has already been served, when Portugal sealed their qualification for next summer’s tournament against Armenia.
“In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the two remaining matches has been suspended under a one-year probation period,” said FIFA in a statement on Tuesday.
“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.”
Ronaldo the all-time top goalscorer
Cristiano Ronaldo, the men’s all-time top goalscorer in world football with 143 goals, is aiming to play at a sixth World Cup next summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward, currently at Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, has not yet lifted the trophy but did win Euro 2016 for Portugal.
The super performer attended a dinner in the White House last week where he met US President Donald Trump, who said his son Barron “is a big fan” of the striker.
2026 FIFA World Cup draw
The draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington on December 5 at 5pm UK time.
The US President will join FIFA chief, Infantino, at the John F Kennedy Center – a performing arts venue where Trump is chairman – to decide the group stage fixtures.
