Cristiano Ronaldo is set to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after FIFA deferred two games of his three-match suspension for a red card incident during Portugal's qualifier against the Republic of Ireland earlier this month. The decision, announced on November 26, 2025, allows the 40-year-old striker to avoid missing critical matches at next year's tournament in North America.
Ronaldo received a red card on November 11 for elbowing Ireland's Dara O'Shea during a 2-0 defeat. While FIFA ruled the act as "violent conduct," only one match of the suspension was enforced immediately, which Ronaldo served during Portugal's 9-1 victory over Armenia last week. The remaining two games will be suspended for a one-year probationary period, contingent on no further violations.
FIFA's disciplinary committee emphasized that the deferral is conditional, stating, "If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, he will be banned for the remaining two matches." The ruling contrasts with recent cases involving players from Armenia and Burundi, who received full three-match bans without probation.
Portugal, now qualified for the 2026 World Cup, will play friendlies in March and additional warm-up matches ahead of the tournament's June 11 kickoff. Ronaldo, set to make his sixth World Cup appearance, remains pivotal to the team's ambitions as they prepare to compete across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
