Global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo will be eligible to play in the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after FIFA suspended two of the three-match ban imposed following his red-card offence in a recent qualifier.
The 40-year-old Portuguese captain was sent off on November 13 after elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in a 2-0 loss in Dublin — the first dismissal of his 226-match international career.
Under FIFA’s ruling, Ronaldo served the mandatory one-match suspension when Portugal beat Armenia 9-1 to clinch World Cup qualification. The remaining two games of the sanction have been deferred and placed on a one-year probation.
FIFA clarified that if Ronaldo commits a similar offence during the probation period, the suspended matches will be reinstated.
The decision clears the way for Ronaldo to feature in Portugal’s first World Cup fixtures next summer, providing a significant boost for their campaign and offering fans hope that the veteran forward will chase the only major trophy missing from his decorated career.
