Green light from FIFA for Cristiano to play at 2026 World Cup

During the recent 2026 World Cup qualifier at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo swung out at Irish player Dara O’Shea and was awarded a red card for violent conduct.

Amid concerns that the Portuguese striker could be served with a 2-3 game ban by FIFA, there is a sigh of relief after the Al-Nassr star has only received a one-match suspension from FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee following his straight red card against the Republic of Ireland.

This means that Cristiano Ronaldo will play in the World Cup from the opening match as he has already served his suspension in the final group stage qualifier against Armenia.

It should be noted that the regulations stipulate a three-match suspension for violent conduct, which could have kept Cristiano out of the first two World Cup matches. However, the Disciplinary Committee considered Cristiano’s behavior minor and therefore imposed a one-match suspension, with two additional matches suspended depending on his conduct going forward.

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