Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has avoided a suspension, ensuring his availability for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 40-year-old Al Nassr forward had faced the prospect of a ban following a red card in a World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, where he was dismissed for elbowing Dara O’Shea. Normally, violent conduct offenses carry a three-match suspension.
However, FIFA has taken into account that this was Ronaldo’s first red card in 226 international appearances and decided to suspend the second and third matches of the ban for a year. As a result, he missed only the November 16 clash against Armenia and will remain eligible for all fixtures in the United States next summer.
A FIFA statement clarified the conditions of the probationary period: “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.”
This decision confirms that the legendary forward will lead Portugal in the tournament, providing fans with the chance to witness one of football’s greatest talents in action on the world stage.
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