Cristiano Ronaldo faces a tense wait of approximately three weeks to discover the length of his FIFA suspension following a straight red card in Portugal’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss to Ireland on Thursday. The Portugal superstar was sent off for appearing to strike Ireland defender Dara O’Shea with an elbow during a jostle for position on the hour mark.
The incident occurred at Aviva Stadium with Portugal trailing 2-0. Referee Glenn Nyberg initially showed Ronaldo a yellow card, but upon consultation with the video assistant referee and a review at the field-side monitor, the decision was upgraded to a straight red for violent conduct. Ronaldo, who turns 41 in February and aims to play in a record sixth World Cup, sarcastically applauded the Irish fans before leaving the pitch.
The red card mandates a one-game ban, which Ronaldo will serve immediately in Portugal's final qualifier against Armenia on Sunday. However, FIFA disciplinary rules demand a suspension of "at least two matches for serious foul play" or "at least three matches for violent conduct."
FIFA disciplinary judges must now determine which severity applies. If a multi-game ban is imposed, those extra games must be served in competitive matches, which means Ronaldo could miss the start of Portugal's 2026 World Cup campaign if they qualify automatically.
The potential ban has immediate implications for Portugal's path to the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A win against Armenia on Sunday will automatically send Portugal through. If they qualify automatically, Ronaldo's suspension would apply to the World Cup group games.
If, however, Portugal drops into the playoffs, Ronaldo would serve his suspension during those crucial knockout matches. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended his captain, arguing, “I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body… the action looks worse than what it actually is.”
The case has drawn intense interest, as it impacts the potential World Cup swansong for the star, who had endured a frustrating return to Dublin. Ronaldo holds the record for most international caps for Portugal, 226 and this was his first-ever red card for the national team.
