Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Portugal’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This follows his first-ever red card while playing for the national team. The incident occurred during Portugal’s 2-0 friendly defeat against Ireland on Thursday.
The Al Nassr striker initially received a yellow card in the 61st minute. He was penalized for elbowing Irish defender Dara O’Shea during an aerial challenge. After a VAR review, the referee upgraded the caution to a straight red card. The decision was for violent conduct.
This dismissal marks Ronaldo’s first red card in 226 appearances for Portugal. His club career includes 13 previous sendings-off. Under FIFA disciplinary rules, violent conduct carries an automatic one-match ban. The suspension could extend to three matches depending on severity.
Significantly, suspensions apply only to competitive fixtures. This means Ronaldo cannot serve the ban during pre-tournament friendlies. Portugal needed victory against Ireland to secure World Cup qualification. Instead, Troy Parrott’s double secured Ireland’s surprising win in Dublin.
Despite the setback, Portugal leads Group F by two points. A victory against Armenia on Sunday would confirm their World Cup spot. It would also guarantee Ronaldo’s record sixth World Cup appearance.
Before the match, Ronaldo acknowledged the challenging Dublin atmosphere. He stated: “I really like the fans here. Their support for the national team is lovely. Of course it will be tough. I hope they don’t boo me too much.”
Following his dismissal, the 39-year-old exchanged sarcastic gestures with jeering fans. Ronaldo’s relationship with Irish supporters has been tense since 2021. During a previous encounter, fans accused him of influencing a controversial late winner.
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