DUBLIN (Kashmir English): Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is at risk of missing at least Portugal’s opening match at World Cup 2026 after being shown a red card on Thursday in a match against Republic of Ireland, in Dublin.
Portugal has not yet qualified for the 2026 World Cup and their opening match opponent and date are still unknown. Portugal lost 2-0 to the Republic of Ireland.
The Portugal forward was initially shown a yellow card after he elbowed Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during the match.
However, it was upgraded to a red card after the referee reviewed the contact on a pitch-side video monitor. It was for the first time that Ronaldo was sent off in his international career.
“When he tries to get away from the defender, I think the action looks worse than what it actually is,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. “I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body. But from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow. We accept it. It could be a red card, but for the right reasons.”
Ronaldo will serve mandatory one-game suspension
Ronaldo will serve his mandatory one-game suspension when Portugal plays host to Armenia today (Sunday). Portugal, which still leads Hungary by two points in Group F, can clinch a spot in next year’s World Cup with a victory.
However, FIFA disciplinary rules state that a ban of at least two matches is required for “serious foul play” and for at least three matches for “violent conduct,” or for “an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.”
Pre-World Cup games would not count towards serving a potential match ban, and it could be three weeks before FIFA issues a verdict.
Thursday’s was the first red card Ronaldo has received in the record 226 games he has played for Portugal.
“He is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games,” Martinez said. “I think it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.” Ronaldo is hoped to play his sixth World Cup in a row.
