Cristiano Ronaldo will participate in Portugal’s World Cup match despite receiving a red card for elbowing an Ireland player during a qualifying game. FIFA announced on Tuesday that he faces a three-match suspension, though two of those matches are currently suspended for a year.
After serving a mandatory one-match ban during Portugal’s recent 9-1 victory over Armenia, which secured their spot in the North American World Cup, he was initially expected to face additional penalties. If Ronaldo commits another serious offense during his suspension, the remaining two matches will be enforced, according to FIFA’s statement.
FIFA holds disciplinary authority over national team games, and Portugal is set to play two friendlies in March and additional warm-up matches around late May or June. The World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Ronaldo elbowed Irish defender Dara O’Shea during a recent match in Dublin, resulting in his suspension. This ruling followed a week after a notable dinner with US President Donald Trump, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, where Ronaldo posed for a selfie.
Ronaldo has been playing in the Saudi league for three years and is a shareholder in a club partly owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, which the prince chairs. Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup and has significantly supported FIFA financially over the past two years.
FIFA confirmed the three-match suspension is eligible for appeal, though it’s uncertain who can legally challenge it—whether it be the Irish Football Federation or Portugal’s squad. President Trump will also be present at a drawing ceremony on December 5 in Washington, D.C. Portugal, as one of the top seeds in the tournament, will face three teams in a round-robin format.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer fans as Ronaldo’s presence can significantly impact Portugal’s performance in the World Cup. His experience and skill are invaluable assets that could shape the tournament’s dynamics, making for an exciting showing on the global stage.
