After being handed a partial three-match suspension from FIFA for receiving a red card in Portugal's match against the Republic of Ireland, the road is clear for Cristiano Ronaldo to appear for his country in the openers of the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo was seen elbowing Irish defender Dara O'Shea from behind, for which he received his first suspension in 226 international appearances.
CR7 served a compulsory one-match ban in Portugal's initial qualifying game against Armenia last week, in which they scored a 9-1 victory, sealing their place in the upcoming World Cup. Currently, Ronaldo's suspension has been put under probation.
Before starting his sixth World Cup campaign next year, the Portuguese star is expected to face a ban for one more match, ESPN reported.
Notably, FIFA's decision that paved the way for Ronaldo to appear for a record sixth time in the international championship comes within a week of the football star meeting U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, as a part of the Saudi Arabian delegation led by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino are known to share close ties.
However, FIFA has warned that if CR7 commits a similar contravention during the period of his probation, his current 'suspended punishment' will become active, and he will have to serve the remaining two-match-ban in Portugal's next two official games, and might also be charged for the new offence and be punished consequently, reported The Guardian.
