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Cristiano Ronaldo will be eligible to participate in the 2026 World Cup, as FIFA has issued a favorable disciplinary decision. The footballing icon received a three-match ban for an on-field incident, but crucially, two games of this suspension have been placed on probation. Ronaldo has already served one mandatory match, meaning he will avoid further sanctions unless he commits a similar offense within the next year. This ruling ensures the veteran forward can embark on what is likely to be his final World Cup campaign without immediate interruption.
The incident leading to the ban occurred during a World Cup qualifier against Ireland, where Ronaldo was shown a red card for an elbowing offense against defender Dara O’Shea. While a harsher penalty was anticipated by some, the FIFA disciplinary committee opted for a more lenient approach. The served match was Portugal’s dominant 9-1 victory over Armenia, a game that confirmed their qualification for the expanded North American tournament. The suspended portion of the ban will only be enforced if Ronaldo incurs another similar infraction within a 12-month period.
Portugal’s schedule leading up to the World Cup, including friendlies in March and further warm-up matches in late May or early June, will not be affected by this decision. Ronaldo’s presence is vital for his national team as they prepare to compete on the global stage. The controversy surrounding the timing of the verdict has also been noted, occurring shortly after Ronaldo attended a White House dinner. FIFA has also acknowledged that the suspension is subject to appeal, though the likelihood of an appeal remains unclear. Portugal will learn their group stage opponents on December 5th at the draw ceremony.
