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Cristiano Ronaldo has had his ban suspended by FIFA and Portugal star is now able to play in opening matches of 2026 World Cup
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Published 25/11/2025 at 17:58 GMT
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It had appeared that Cristiano Ronaldo would miss Portugal's first two group stage matches at the 2026 World Cup in North America due to a three-match ban incurred after he was sent off against the Republic of Ireland earlier this month. However, the last two matches of that ban have been suspended, allowing him to take part in his country's opening games next summer.
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The last two matches of Cristiano Ronaldo’s international ban have been suspended by FIFA, meaning he can play in the opening matches of next summer's 2026 World Cup.
The 40-year-old Portugal international striker was given a red card against the Republic of Ireland in their 2-0 defeat earlier this month.
Ronaldo was set off for elbowing Republic of Ireland player Dara O’Shea in the back in their qualifying game.
Despite the defeat, Portugal have qualified for the tournament next summer, to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
A dismissal for violent conduct usually carries a three-match ban, and had that been enforced, Ronaldo would have missed the first two group-stage matches next summer with his team.
However, Ronaldo’s ban has seen the second and third matches suspended for a year. The first match of the ban was served in the recent clash with Armenia, meaning he is free to play next June.
If the player commits a similar transgression, FIFA announced, then the two matches held in suspension would then need to be served, which would cost him the chance to play in the first two group stages with Portugal.
It has been reported that FIFA have made the decision in part because it is the Al Nassr forward’s first red card in 226 international appearances.
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A FIFA statement confirmed: "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."
Ronaldo scored five goals for his country in their qualifying campaign, as they finished top of Group F to progress to the summer tournament. He has scored 143 goals in total for his country.
Ronaldo is in his fourth season with his current club, who play in the Saudi Pro League. This season he has scored 11 goals in 12 appearances so far, and has 110 goals in 123 matches with the side.
He joined the team during the 2022/23 season after failing to start regularly at Manchester United under then manager Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo's move was precipitated by a controversial interview with Piers Morgan ahead of the most recent World Cup, which took place in 2022 in Qatar and was won by Argentina.
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The draw for the World Cup group stages will take place on Friday December 5.
The competition will feature 48 teams in 2026 after a decision was taken to enlarge the number of teams who played in the showpiece event. Before that change, the tournament was contested by 32 teams.
Ronaldo has said this will be the last World Cup finals he will play in. It will be his sixth World Cup.
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