FIFA reduced Ronaldo’s suspension from three matches to one match, with two other games converted into a probation period of one year, so the Portuguese star will be available for the first game of the Portugal team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the 2-0 defeat of Portugal against the Republic of Ireland on November 13 during World Cup qualifying, the 40-year-old was shown a straight red card, marking for the first time in his 226-cap international career that he was expelled.
Ronaldo served the discard of the initial one-match ban in Portugal’s 9-1 win over Armenia, a match that ensured their qualification for the next summer’s tournament, which will be hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada and will be expanded to 48 teams. FIFA later looked into the Portuguese Football Federation’s (FPF) appeal, which emphasized the hostile atmosphere before the match, the nature of the incident, and Ronaldo’s flawless disciplinary record.
The FPF claimed that the words of Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson intensified the situation unnecessarily and that Ronaldo’s elbow on Dara O’Shea was because he was being held repeatedly inside the box. Moreover, since his spotless record—he had never before been sent off for Portugal—Ronaldo was the one to be considered by the committee.
According to FIFA, the other two games of his suspension will be implemented if he commits a similar offence next year before the World Cup, and he will also be fined 5,000 Swiss francs.
The World Cup draw will take place next month on the 5th, where Portugal will know their group stage opponents.
