Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a major World Cup lifeline after FIFA confirmed a suspended ban for his recent red card, clearing him to feature in next summer's tournament opener.
The Dublin Incident and Initial Suspension
The drama unfolded during Portugal's World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on 13 November 2025. Ronaldo, now 40 and playing for Al Nassr, was shown a straight red card for an elbow offence during a match that ended in a surprising defeat for Portugal.
This dismissal triggered an automatic FIFA disciplinary process. The global governing body subsequently issued a three-match ban for the offence, a sanction that threatened to rule the veteran forward out of a significant portion of what he has confirmed will be his final World Cup.
FIFA's Final Verdict and Probation Period
However, in a decisive turn of events, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee has ruled that Ronaldo will not miss any World Cup action. The committee considered several mitigating factors, including the player's previous good behaviour and the fact this was his first ever red card in international football.
The first match of the three-game suspension was already served when Portugal faced Armenia on 16 November 2025. Crucially, FIFA has now suspended the remaining two matches for a one-year probation period.
This means Ronaldo is immediately available for selection. However, should he commit another infringement of a similar nature and gravity within the next year, the suspension will be automatically revoked. The two remaining matches would then be served immediately in Portugal's next official fixtures.
What This Means for Portugal's World Cup Campaign
This ruling represents a huge relief for the Portuguese national team and their iconic captain. The decision ensures that Ronaldo's last dance on the world's biggest football stage will not be cut short by a disciplinary issue from the qualifying rounds.
FIFA's official statement clarified the terms, citing article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code as the basis for the suspended sentence. The ruling remains subject to a potential appeal to the FIFA Appeal Committee, but as it stands, the path is clear for Ronaldo to lead his nation in the 2026 World Cup.
