Cristiano Ronaldo has been spared a suspension at the forthcoming summer World Cup after FIFA issued him a three-match ban with the final two games suspended for a probationary period of one year. This decision comes after the Portugal captain received a red card in a qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on November 13 for an off-the-ball elbowing incident involving defender Dara O’Shea.
Initially shown a yellow card, the incident was reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR), resulting in an upgrade to a red card. This automatic penalty meant Ronaldo would miss Portugal’s last World Cup qualifier against Armenia; however, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee decided to impose a three-match suspension due to the severity of the offence.
The Committee stipulated that the last two matches of the ban would be suspended but under a one-year probation period, thus allowing Ronaldo to participate in future fixtures, provided he avoids further infractions of a similar nature. A FIFA statement confirmed the committee’s decision, highlighting the implications if Ronaldo were to commit a related offence during the probation period.
Interestingly, this marked the first red card in Ronaldo’s impressive 226-game international career. Given this record, sources indicate it influenced the Committee’s decision regarding the suspension’s duration. Notably, the FIFA Disciplinary Code specifies penalties for misconduct, including assault through actions such as elbowing.
Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez, defended Ronaldo in light of the incident, emphasizing the player’s long-standing discipline over his national team career. He described the red card decision as “harsh,” insisting that Ronaldo was merely trying to free himself from holding defenders and that the action looked worse from certain angles.
As Ronaldo looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup—set to be his last—he has mentioned an anticipated retirement in the near future. His career continues to garner attention, as evidenced by his attendance at a recent high-profile dinner at the White House, alongside notable figures such as U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, promises to be a significant event, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary chapter in Ronaldo’s storied football career.