Cristiano Ronaldo will miss at least the opening match of Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign after a straight red card for violent conduct in Thursday’s 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland.
It was a heated qualifier when, in the 61st minute, Ronaldo clashed off the ball with Irish defender Dara O’Shea. Television footage showed the Portuguese captain clearly elbowing O’Shea in the chest. But even though the referee immediately issued a yellow card, VAR intervened to upgrade the caution to a red card after a review at the pitch-side monitor sent Ronaldo off, leaving fans around the world in shock.
The dismissal represents the first red card of Ronaldo’s illustrious international career, coming in his 226th appearance for Portugal. That means an immediate one-match suspension for Portugal’s next competitive fixture-but the punishment could be far more severe.
Under FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, Article 14, violent conduct, including elbowing, can result in a minimum of a three-match ban or a suspension covering an “appropriate period of time” for assault. FIFA’s disciplinary committee will now assess the case and decide whether to extend the ban.
Importantly, any imposed suspension must be served during competitive fixtures and cannot be offset by appearances in friendly matches.
