Ronaldo Cleared to Play at 2026 World Cup Despite Recent Red Card

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be available for Portugal throughout the 2026 World Cup, even though he received a red card during a qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland in November. FIFA issued a three-match suspension for the incident, classifying it as serious misconduct, but two of those matches were placed under a one-year probation. This decision means that only one suspension match was enforced.

Ronaldo has already served the mandatory game ban when Portugal defeated Armenia 9–1, a result that secured their place in the tournament. The disciplinary ruling allows him to participate fully in the upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The red card came after Ronaldo struck an opposing player with his elbow, marking his first dismissal in more than two hundred international appearances despite having been sent off several times at club level.

Under FIFA’s conditions, any repeat offense during the probation period would automatically activate the remaining two suspended matches. The organization also noted that the ruling may be appealed, though it remains unclear which party has the authority to challenge it. Meanwhile, Portugal is set to play friendly matches in March and additional warm-up games closer to the start of the tournament.

The announcement arrived shortly after Ronaldo attended a formal event featuring the U.S. president and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, reflecting his continued prominence on and off the field during his time in the Saudi Pro League. With the disciplinary matter settled, he is poised to appear at the World Cup for a record sixth time, extending his legacy on the international stage.

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