Cristiano Ronaldo avoids World Cup ban despite rule as FIFA release statement

Nov 25, 2025 - 17:30

Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a surprise reprieve from FIFA that will allow him to feature in Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener.

The Selecao captain looked destined for a three-game ban for an elbow on the Republic of Ireland’s Dara O’Shea, which led to a red card for violent conduct.

Ronaldo elbows O'Shea during Ireland vs Portugal — Ronaldo’s swing at his rival would usually result in a three-game ban

Cristiano Ronaldo walks off the field after he was sent off for Portugal against Ireland — He’s served a ban for one of the games, but the other two matches he’d been banned for has been suspended

However, he’s now been given just one game, which he already served in Portugal’s final World Cup qualifier against Armenia.

The other two matches are suspended, and FIFA said in a statement that they will be reapplied if he transgresses again.

They said in a statement: “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.”

Going into the tournament next summer there are three players who are set to miss at least one match for their respective nations, including Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi, Ecuador and Chelsea star Moises Caicedo and Qatar’s Tarek Salman.

It remains to be seen if they will be given a reprieve similar to Ronaldo’s.

Ronaldo’s red card embarrassment

The 40-year-old’s elbow came on November 12 in Portugal’s penultimate World Cup qualifier.

A Troy Parrot double gave Portugal a 2-0 deficit at the break and then things were made worse by Ronaldo on the hour mark.

The Al Nassr striker had already been baiting rival manager Heimir Hallgrimsson pre-match, and then did the same with Ireland fans straight after the flashpoint.

Yet Ronaldo was quickly left red-faced when a VAR check saw his yellow card upgraded to a red.

With just one more official competitive match scheduled before the World Cup, it was naturally assumed Ronaldo would miss Portugal’s opening two games at the 2026 tournament as violent conduct is usually punished by three games.

Will Ronaldo get a three-match ban? — Ronaldo mocked Ireland fans with a crying gesture, and then was sent off moments later

Ronaldo had never been sent off for his country previously, with his previous ten red cards all coming during his club career.

Despite Ronaldo’s respite from FIFA, his actions didn’t go down well back home in Portugal.

Leading sports outlet A Bola penned an editorial saying the footballing icon should be ‘ashamed’ and that manager Roberto Martinez was part of the problem for appeasing him.

Hugo Vasconcelos wrote: “Ronaldo is 40 years old. At Wednesday’s press conference, he made a point of provoking opponents, the Irish national team coach, and the public.

“He was the one who created the atmosphere that he couldn’t handle.

“But the worst part was the reaction, that whole charade — from the crying, as if the Irishman who took the elbow was faking it, to the head gestures, as if he didn’t understand what was happening, to the applause from the crowd, as if it was the fault of the stands, and not himself, that he was being sent off.

“Ronaldo made a mistake. The least he could do is apologise, but what he should really do is be ashamed.

“If even Roberto Martínez pats him on the back and says ‘there’s no violence,’ ‘he tries to push him away,’ and ‘he was unlucky,’ I don’t have much hope…”