Cristiano Ronaldo has been cleared to participate in Portugal’s opening matches at the World Cup after Fifa suspended two games of his ban following a red card against the Republic of Ireland.
The 40-year-old forward had originally received a three-match suspension for violent conduct after he was judged to have struck Irish defender Dara O’Shea with an elbow during a shock defeat on 13 November. However, Fifa’s disciplinary committee on Tuesday commuted the suspension to a single game, with the remaining two matches placed under a one-year probation.
Ronaldo has already served the one-match ban, having missed Portugal’s final World Cup qualifying fixture against Armenia, meaning he is now eligible to feature in the tournament.
Despite a long career punctuated by 13 red cards, Ronaldo had never previously been sent off in a senior international match across an astonishing 226 appearances. The recent incident marked his first dismissal at the international level.
Fifa’s disciplinary code outlines that players involved in violent conduct, including actions such as elbowing, punching, kicking, or hitting another player, should serve a minimum three-match suspension or a corresponding period of time. Under Article 27, the Fifa judicial committee has the authority to suspend all or part of a sanction, which was applied in Ronaldo’s case.
The decision carries a probationary clause: should Ronaldo commit another similar offense within one year, the suspended matches would be activated immediately, in addition to any new sanctions deemed necessary. The ruling is also subject to appeal before Fifa’s appeal committee, meaning the player’s suspension could be reviewed further.
Ronaldo’s clearance comes as a significant boost for Portugal ahead of the World Cup, ensuring the veteran forward can contribute from the outset of the tournament. Known for his exceptional scoring record and leadership on the field, his presence is expected to strengthen Portugal’s attacking options.
With the ban partially lifted, Portugal now have their captain and star forward fully available, ready to compete on the world stage without any restrictions affecting the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup.
